The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stated on Thursday that the recent report from The Intercept, a foreign media outlet, reinforces the stance of party leader Imran Khan. According to PTI, the report provides evidence for Khan’s claim that his government was ousted due to American pressure after his visit to Russia in February 2022.
This development comes after months of controversy surrounding a secret document that came to light in March of the previous year. The PTI’s statement was released on the micro-blogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter). It revealed that the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by former Prime Minister Khan, had rejected the contents of the cipher as interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. This decision was later endorsed by a subsequent NSC meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
However, the PTI expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out that the ruling group had initially denied the existence of the cipher, dismissing it as insignificant. Furthermore, they tried to blame Imran Khan for bringing the cipher to public attention. The party emphasized the need to discuss and criticize the secret document within its proper context.
The PTI asserted that there was indeed interference in Pakistan’s internal matters, leading to a vote of no confidence against then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. They argued that this interference in internal affairs ultimately resulted in Khan’s removal from office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in response to the foreign news organization’s report, rejected Imran Khan’s claims that his government’s removal was part of a US-backed conspiracy. Sharif questioned the validity of this assertion, suggesting that if it were true, Pakistan would not have engaged in purchasing cheaper oil from Russia.
Rana Sanaullah, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), echoed similar sentiments. He stated that there was nothing groundbreaking in the foreign media outlet’s story about the US cipher supporting Imran Khan’s allegations. Sanaullah emphasized the need for an investigation to determine the authenticity of the information or the source document.
Read more: Imran Khan’s Ex-Secretary Azam Khan Claims ‘Cypher Gate’ Was a Prearranged Conspiracy
The recent developments involving the US cipher and its connection to Imran Khan’s claims have intensified the political discourse in Pakistan. The PTI’s assertion that the report from The Intercept supports their leader’s position adds fuel to the ongoing debate. While the ruling party rejects these allegations and questions their validity, the opposition maintains that further investigation is required to establish the credibility of the information presented. As the saga continues, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact Pakistan’s political landscape and international relations.
