A written copy of the statement of the former foreign secretary came out

The written copy of the recorded statement of former foreign secretary Sohail Mehmood in the cipher case under hearing in the trial court has come out. Former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood had recorded his statement in the special court on January 22.

According to the written copy, former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood said that my appointment as Foreign Secretary was in March 2022. On March 8, 2022, there was a telephonic contact with the Pakistani Ambassador in Washington.

Sohail Mahmood said that the ambassador told regarding the meeting with the American secretary for South and Central Asia, the deputy head of mission, defense attaché was present with the ambassador, the Pakistani ambassador told regarding the sensitivity of the issue, the ambassador said that the ministry related to the discussion. Cipher Telegram has been sent to the Foreign Office, I went to the office and received a copy of the cipher telegram, categorized the cipher telegram as not to be circulated, it is only for the Foreign Secretary.

According to the written copy, Sohail Mehmood said that I approved the distribution of the copy of the cipher telegram with instructions, directed to send the cipher copy to SPM in a sealed envelope, a letter was waved in the rally on March 27, 2022. On March 28, I received a note from the US Additional Secretary. US officials expressed concern over the former Prime Minister’s public statement. Protection of and secret communication was avoided in public discussion.

Sohail Mahmood said that Bani Gala was called for a meeting on 29th March 2022 which was not a pre-scheduled meeting, former Prime Minister, former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister were also present in the meeting, I was asked to read the cipher telegram, the participants Commented on the cipher, I took the copy of the cipher telegram with me, handed over the cipher to Director FSO for safekeeping, I was not asked to prepare the minutes of the meeting, Cabinet meeting was held on 8th April 2022 which I was asked to share my views, briefed on cipher matters, legal position, foreign policy.

Former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood said in the statement that the cipher security guidelines allow sharing only with authorized persons, said that there is no example of declassification of cipher telegram in the past, I also said that cipher declassified diplomatically. The work of the mission may be affected, following the meeting it was decided to give a briefing on the cipher in the in-camera session of the Parliament. On 29th September 2022, I retired from the Ministry of External Affairs, by that time the cipher copy from SPM was returned to the Ministry of External Affairs. Was not found.