Imran Khan Accused of Threats by Former Army Chief in Pakistan's Cipher Case
In a dramatic development within Pakistan's ongoing "cipher case", former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has leveled serious accusations against the country's former Army Chief, General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa. Qureshi, a close aide of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, claimed that Bajwa threatened Khan with dire consequences if he did not change his behavior.
Speaking to journalists during a court hearing, Qureshi described a series of events surrounding the formation of a committee tasked with negotiating with Bajwa on the cipher case, a diplomatic cable at the heart of a political controversy. Qureshi, along with Pervez Khattak and Asad Umar, met with Bajwa in the Army House and raised their concerns. According to Qureshi, the meeting concluded with Bajwa issuing a veiled threat, advising him to "correct his Qibla and direction" to avoid a 12-year jail sentence in the cipher case.
Qureshi further alleged that during a subsequent meeting in the President's House, Bajwa made an even more direct threat, telling Khan to "become a son of man" or face punishment.
These explosive claims have fueled the already heated political climate in Pakistan. Qureshi has challenged Bajwa to appear in court and reiterated his willingness to take oath on the Quran to verify his accusations. The implications of these allegations, if true, could significantly impact the country's political landscape.
Meanwhile, Qureshi also made another striking statement, declaring that any member of the PTI (Khan's party) who engages in horse trading after winning on the party ticket will "commit suicide". This dramatic assertion reflects the ongoing internal and external pressures faced by the PTI.
The cipher case and its surrounding controversies continue to dominate headlines in Pakistan, with further developments expected as the legal proceedings unfold. Whether Bajwa responds to Qureshi's accusations and how the PTI reacts to its former Foreign Minister's claims remain to be seen.
