The Foreign Office has dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill's claim that the cypher – containing the alleged threat to Pakistan – was initially withheld from former prime minister Imran Khan and then foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, terming it as “entirely baseless”.
Earlier, Gill, while speaking to the media persons outside the Supreme Court, said that he was told by the former foreign minister that the cypher was kept hidden from him and Imran Khan.
He further said that the cypher was with ‘powerful quarters’, adding that the letter was given to Qureshi when he asked the foreign secretary about it.
Responding to media questions, the FO spokesperson said: “Such a question simply does not arise. The Foreign Office operates on professional basis and it would be detrimental to cast aspersions on its working.”
On March 27 rally, Imran had accused the United States of plotting to oust his regime through a no-trust motion in the National Assembly.
As proof, he had flashed a "threat letter" at the public gathering, saying a foreign country has “warned of dire consequences if he remains in power".
The letter was the diplomatic cable sent by former Pakistan ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan.
Earlier, Gill, while speaking to the media persons outside the Supreme Court, said that he was told by the former foreign minister that the cypher was kept hidden from him and Imran Khan.
He further said that the cypher was with ‘powerful quarters’, adding that the letter was given to Qureshi when he asked the foreign secretary about it.
Responding to media questions, the FO spokesperson said: “Such a question simply does not arise. The Foreign Office operates on professional basis and it would be detrimental to cast aspersions on its working.”
On March 27 rally, Imran had accused the United States of plotting to oust his regime through a no-trust motion in the National Assembly.
As proof, he had flashed a "threat letter" at the public gathering, saying a foreign country has “warned of dire consequences if he remains in power".
The letter was the diplomatic cable sent by former Pakistan ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan.