Pakistan's former Premier Khan, party colleague indicted in ‘cipher’ case

ISTANBUL

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party colleague Shah Mahmood Qureshi were on Monday indicted under the South Asian nation’s Official Secrets Act.

The hearing of the case was held at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is held, by special court judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, local broadcaster Geo TV reported.

Khan and Qureshi have pleaded not guilty to the charges, the report added.

The case is related to diplomatic communications between Washington and Islamabad, which Khan says was part of a US conspiracy to topple his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government.

Washington and Islamabad have repeatedly rebuffed the accusation.

Qureshi served as foreign minister during Khan's stint as prime minister.

At the hearing today, the judge rejected the petitions by the duo seeking to stop the indictment.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 27.