Islamabad: The highly contentious cipher, often cited by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan as proof of a foreign conspiracy against his government, has been further revealed. Sources privy to the matter have disclosed to The News reporter Fakhar Durrani that the document, referenced by Khan as a key piece of evidence, is not a single-page memo as previously thought but a detailed 11-point communication.

Of these 11 points, nine are reportedly focused on trade and human trafficking issues, while the remaining two pertain to remarks made by U.S. State Department official Donald Lu in response to queries posed by Pakistan’s then-ambassador to Washington.

Key Revelations

Insiders disclosed that Donald Lu participated in a farewell luncheon at the Pakistani embassy in Washington, where bilateral relations were discussed. The meeting, attended by three American and four Pakistani officials, resulted in the ambassador drafting a detailed 11-point report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The majority of the points highlighted discussions on trade and irregular immigration.

Despite this, Imran Khan repeatedly framed the cipher as evidence of U.S. interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. During a public address on January 3, 2025, he once again accused former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and U.S. President Joe Biden of orchestrating a no-confidence motion to remove him from office.

Challenging the Narrative

Background interviews with officials and former ministers, however, paint a different picture. Military officials had deemed the cipher “harmless” during a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on March 27, 2022. Still, Khan weaponized the document to advance his claim that his government was toppled under American influence.

This strategic use of the cipher fueled political tensions and created a central narrative for PTI’s subsequent campaigns. Critics, however, argue that the claims lack substantial evidence and have been exaggerated for political gains.

As these details emerge, the focus shifts back to the validity of Khan’s allegations and their impact on Pakistan’s diplomatic relations and domestic politics.