Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (AP file photo)
A confidential high-level Pakistani diplomatic cable has surfaced that strongly suggests U.S. support for a plot to overthrow the Imran Khan-led government in Islamabad, Drop Site News reported.The secret diplomatic code, dated March 7, 2022, is seen as evidence of the United States’ alleged involvement in the political unrest that ultimately led to Khan’s ouster.The development has once again drawn attention at a time of growing tension between the two countries. Pakistan The United States is once again in the spotlight as Islamabad reportedly attempts to mediate between Washington and Iran over the current regional crisis.However, these efforts have repeatedly encountered obstacles, with both Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership standing firm on their respective positions.Pakistan is currently ruled by Sherbaz Sharif, who belongs to Imran KhanKhan’s rival camp, while the country’s powerful military establishment is led by Army Chief Asim Munir, who is also seen as being at odds with Khan.According to reports, the cable, numbered I-0678, was sent to Islamabad by Asad Majeed Khan, then Pakistan’s special envoy to Washington, after a lunch meeting with Donald Lu, then US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.The document states that Lew expressed concerns about Imran Khan’s foreign policy stance, especially the war in Russia and Ukraine.“People here are very concerned about why Pakistan has taken such an aggressive neutral stance on Ukraine, if such a stance is possible. To us, it does not appear to be a neutral stance,” Lew said, according to the cable.The document further states that Lew said Washington’s concerns may be alleviated if Khan is ousted through a vote of no confidence in parliament.“I think if the vote of no confidence in the prime minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the trip to Russia is seen as the prime minister’s decision,” Lew said, according to the cable.“Otherwise, I think the road ahead will be very difficult.”The comments were interpreted as clear evidence of anti-Imran sentiment within Washington, as he is considered close to Imran. Vladimir Putin and Russia.Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan reportedly wrote in his own assessment attached to the cable that Lew “could not have communicated such strong action without the explicit approval of the White House” and was “talking out of turn about Pakistan’s internal political process.”The cable, which was marked “secret” and “forbidden from circulation,” was reportedly shared with Pakistan’s top civilian and military leaders, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the foreign minister, the army chief and the ISI leadership.Khan was removed from office in a vote of no confidence on April 9, 2022, weeks after the meeting detailed in the cable. He has been incarcerated since 2023 and is currently in solitary confinement.Khan and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have repeatedly claimed that foreign powers and Pakistan’s military establishment have teamed up to sideline him politically.
