ISLAMABAD: The long-standing political controversy surrounding the cipher linked to former prime minister Imran Khan has resurfaced after American journalists released what is being described as the copy of the diplomatic document, reviving debate over one of Pakistan’s most contested political narratives from 2022. The release of the copy of the cipher has also reinforced the key findings reported by The News on January 9, 2025.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan exhausted every available political and institutional option to save his government after the vote of no-confidence move was launched and before publicly turning the cipher into the centerpiece of his anti-US regime-change narrative. From seeking establishment support to exploring political deals and early elections, concerted efforts continued in the days between the cipher’s receipt and his eventual ouster. The release of the copy of the cipher has further intensified scrutiny of those events.
The political use of the cipher had also surfaced in a leaked audio conversation allegedly involving former prime minister Imran Khan and his then principal secretary Azam Khan, in which the two appeared to discuss how the diplomatic communication could be framed for political purposes. In the audio, Imran Khan was allegedly heard discussing how to “play” the cipher issue politically, raising questions about whether it was being used to construct a narrative around the government’s ouster.
Below is the timeline of events during the period between the receipt of the cipher and the vote of no-confidence.
Opposition parties tabled the no-confidence motion on March 8, 2022, while the cipher was received by Pakistan’s Foreign Office later the same night. According to sources familiar with the development, the document was handed to then foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on March 9, who subsequently briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A source privy to post-cipher developments said that on March 12, Imran Khan told selected journalists that he had found something “very important” and would now see how he was removed through the no-confidence vote.
Sources further disclosed that a copy of the cipher was also sent to GHQ, where then army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa received it on March 12. The following day, during a visit to Kamra Airbase attended by civil and military leadership, the cipher was discussed, though it was reportedly treated as a routine diplomatic communication by the prime minister.
Between March 8 and March 27, multiple efforts were allegedly made to save the government. Sources claimed that three separate ministers approached the then army chief between March 14 to 16 seeking support, including discussions related to an extension in Bajwa’s tenure. These requests were reportedly declined.
Despite later alleging a US-backed conspiracy, Imran Khan’s government continued engagement with American officials after the cipher was received. On March 16, the same US official later accused of orchestrating regime change, Donald Lu was invited by Pakistan’s embassy in Washington for a diplomatic engagement, which he attended virtually.
Similarly, on March 22–23, a US delegation led by Uzra Zeya and Tom West attended the OIC Foreign Ministers conference in Islamabad, where official meetings were held with the Pakistani government.
On March 26, Imran Khan contacted then army chief Bajwa and the DG ISI, requesting them to engage opposition parties for withdrawal of the no-confidence motion in exchange for early elections. The proposal was reportedly rejected during meetings held the same night.
On March 27, the National Security Committee met and reviewed the communication. According to sources, the majority of participants including service chiefs described it as a routine diplomatic cable. Only after these efforts failed did the cipher become the centerpiece of a public political narrative.
Later that evening, Imran Khan addressed a public rally in Islamabad and publicly presented the cipher as evidence of a foreign conspiracy behind his government’s ouster.
However, officials familiar with the document argue that the cipher was misrepresented in public discourse.
The cipher Imran Khan cited as evidence of US interference was not a single-page document but contained 11 discussion points, according to a source familiar with its contents. An informed source said the cipher originated from a farewell luncheon at Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington involving US official Donald Lu and Pakistani diplomats, after which the ambassador sent a summary cable of the discussion.
According to sources, the discussion between Donald Lu and the Ambassador covered routine bilateral issues, including trade flows and concerns such as declining rice exports to the US etc. The more controversial portions related to exchanges about strained bilateral relations.
Sources said Pakistan’s ambassador raised concerns over lack of high-level contact between Islamabad and Washington, including the absence of communication from US President Joe Biden.
In response, Donald Lu reportedly criticised Pakistan’s public statements and its approach towards US policy, and stressed the need to stabilise relations. The source added that Lu’s reference to the “vote of no-confidence” was contextual, as opposition parties had already publicly announced their intent to move it. Officials maintain that the cable contained no explicit threat of regime change.
They further noted that the document passed through multiple layers of Pakistan’s foreign policy and security apparatus before reaching the prime minister.
Background discussions with officials and former ministers suggest that even during the March 27 NSC meeting, senior military leadership viewed the cipher as routine diplomatic communication. However, by then, the political narrative had already been fully formed.
Former federal minister Shafqat Mahmood has also stated that there was no foreign involvement in the government’s removal, framing the issue as political interpretation rather than factual conspiracy.
