Pakistani PM charged with disclosing state secrets

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been charged with a new charge - in the case of disclosing state secrets.

Similar charges have been brought against Tehreek-e-Insaf Party vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, NEWSru.co.il reports.

According to investigators, Imran Khan and his entourage revealed to unauthorized persons the contents of a secret telegram sent to Islamabad by the Pakistani Ambassador in Washington in early 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion of the Russian army in Ukraine.

This cable stated that the White House was dissatisfied with Imran Khan's position on Ukraine and would make efforts to remove him from office.

The investigation insists that Khan not only disclosed the contents of this telegram to unauthorized persons but also “distorted the facts to achieve his ulterior motives and personal gain.”

In addition, the case states that Khan, who resigned as prime minister in April 2022, illegally kept a copy of a secret document.

Under Pakistan's official secrets laws, a person found guilty of such a crime could be sentenced to between two and 14 years in prison or even death.

Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi do not admit guilt.