Pakistan court indicts jailed Imran Khan in state secrets case
Jailed former Premier Imran Khan has pleaded not guilty to charges of leaking state secrets under an indictment that deals a new blow to his chances of contesting Pakistan’s general election in February.
The allegations revolve around the disclosure of a classified communication, termed a cypher, transmitted to Islamabad by Pakistan's ambassador in Washington last year. Khan stands accused of divulging its contents to the public.
Government prosecutor Shah Khawar disclosed that the charges were formally presented in the courtroom, where both Khan and his co-accused, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, vehemently refuted the accusations.
In response to the indictment, Khan's legal representative, Gohar Khan, contested its validity, arguing that the indictment would only hold weight if endorsed by the accused. Khan, in previous statements, asserted that the contents of the cable had surfaced in the media through alternative sources.
Legal experts have highlighted that a conviction under the Official Secrets Act could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
This marks the second instance of Khan facing indictment on similar charges. An earlier indictment was nullified by a higher court due to procedural irregularities, emphasizing that the correct legal process had not been adhered to.
The new trial is being conducted within the confines of the jail premises due to security concerns and is scheduled to commence on Thursday, with attendance permitted for Khan's legal counsel, family members, and a select group of journalists.
Imran Khan, aged 71, has remained in detention since his conviction and subsequent three-year sentencing on corruption charges on August 5.
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