Cipher Case Update: Leaked Audio Featuring Imran Khan Spurs Judicial Inquiry

In the recent Cipher case proceedings, the prosecution presented an audio clip featuring Imran Khan and three associates discussing manipulating a sensitive document, colloquially called “the cipher.” The clip, allegedly leaked online, was a focal point of the day’s hearing.

Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, presiding over the case, inquired about the origin of the leaked audio. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor indicated that the audio was uploaded anonymously and later discovered on a verified Twitter account owned by Azhar.

Justice Aurangzeb questioned whether Azhar had been summoned to testify and probed how he could have accessed and disseminated audio from the Prime Minister’s office. He humorously suggested Azhar could be an “asset” capable of recording high-level government discussions.

Amidst the examination, Justice Aurangzeb critiqued the reliance on unverified internet content as evidence, particularly when it could lead to severe penalties like ten years imprisonment.

Further testimony was heard from a PTV cameraman who filmed Imran Khan’s speech on March 27. The judge, somewhat ironically, referred to the cameraman as a potential “star witness,” though his testimony was limited to confirming he had recorded the event without insight into its content.

Prosecutor Hamid Ali Shah argued that Imran Khan was seen handling a document during the recording, suggesting its significance. However, Justice Aurangzeb noted that this testimony scarcely elevated the cameraman’s witness status above that of Azam Khan, another figure alleged to have seen the cipher.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq reiterated that the cameraman’s role was solely to verify the act of recording, not to interpret or validate the content of the footage.

Iqra Ashraf from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also testified, revealing concerns about the FIA’s rushed and incomplete transcription of the cipher. Justice Aurangzeb commended her candidness and highlighted the risks of relying on preliminary reports.

As the hearing concluded, Prosecutor Shah attempted to strengthen his case by citing newspaper articles that discussed the cipher, asserting that secret information had been leaked to the press. Justice Aurangzeb challenged the relevance of these articles, prompting Shah to promise further evidential support in subsequent sessions.