Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been charged in an officials secrets act case, his party has said.
A court in Islamabad has indicted the 71-year-old and his former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, according to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The charge is related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington early last year, which Khan is accused of making public.
Khan denies that and says its contents appeared in the media from other sources.
His party says the case is due to begin on Friday and that it intends to challenge the charges.
Khan, a former cricketing hero turned politician, was ousted from power following a no-confidence vote in parliament last year.
He then led protests against the government to push for an early general election, and against the military, which he accused of trying to sideline him – something the military denies.
Khan was convicted of corruption earlier this year for unlawfully selling state gifts in office.
But the conviction was suspended in August and his three-year prison sentence overturned.
He was later arrested in connection with other cases, including instigating violence and the official secrets case.
Khan has had dozens of legal cases filed against him. He has denounced them as an effort to banish him from politics.
A guilty verdict under the Official Secrets Act could bring up to 14 years in prison or even a death sentence, lawyers say.
Khan’s party said Monday’s hearing took place on the premises of Adyala Jail, near Islamabad, where Khan is being held, with no media or public access.
He is disqualified from the upcoming general election because of his corruption conviction, but his legal team is pushing for him to be released on bail before the vote.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
