Islamabad, 10 Aug, 2023 (GNP): A recent news report has revealed alleged details of a confidential diplomatic “cypher,” shedding light on a purported conversation between Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed, and Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
The leaked conversation, which took place on March 7 last year, has ignited a spirited debate about the alleged stance of the United States concerning the leadership of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The conversation reportedly occurred following Khan’s visit to Moscow amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Lu expressed reservations about Khan’s visit to Russia and Pakistan’s perceived stance of “aggressively neutral” in the Ukraine war. Lu reportedly suggested that a successful no-confidence vote against Khan would be favorably received in Washington.
As per the sources, one month after the meeting with US officials documented in the leaked Pakistani government document, a no-confidence vote was held in Parliament, leading to Khan’s removal from power.
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The leaked details of the diplomatic conversation have evoked diverse reactions from various quarters, reflecting differing perspectives on the authenticity and implications of the alleged “cypher.” While some assert the necessity of a thorough investigation to ascertain the credibility of the document, others interpret it as commentary on Pakistan’s internal policies without necessarily implying direct external interference.
In response to the report, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller categorically denied any US interference in Pakistan’s leadership decisions. Miller clarified that the US’s concerns regarding Khan’s visit to Russia were communicated publicly and privately but did not constitute a formal stance on Pakistan’s leadership.
Denying the accusations of interfering in Pakistan’s political landscape Miller said, “Allegations that the United States interfered in internal decisions about the leadership of Pakistan are false. They have always been false, and they continue to be.”
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The report has stirred a nuanced discourse around Khan’s removal from power and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. Various stakeholders have weighed in on the matter, with differing interpretations of the alleged diplomatic exchange.
Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan’s former Interior Minister, expressed skepticism about the report and called for a meticulous examination of the authenticity of the source document. In contrast, Raoof Hasan, spokesman for Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, viewed the report as a validation of Khan’s stance since his removal from power. Hasan underscored that the National Security Committee (NSC) deliberated on the matter during both Khan’s tenure and the subsequent Shehbaz Sharif government.
The alleged diplomatic “cypher” has injected further complexity into the discourse surrounding Khan’s leadership and the broader geopolitical ramifications associated with the situation.