Secret Pakistan cipher revives claims of US role in Imran Khan’s ouster

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan (AP file photo)

A classified high-level Pakistani diplomatic telegram has surfaced, strongly indicating an alleged US-backed conspiracy to topple the Imran Khan-led government in Islamabad, according to Drop Site news report.The secret diplomatic cipher, dated March 7, 2022, is being cited as evidence of alleged American involvement in the political upheaval that eventually led to Khan’s ouster.The development has drawn renewed attention at a time when ties between Pakistan and the United States are once again under focus amid Islamabad’s reported attempts to mediate between Washington and Iran over the ongoing regional crisis.However, those efforts have repeatedly hit roadblocks, with both Donald Trump and Iran’s leadership remaining firm on their respective positions.Pakistan is currently governed by Shehbaz Sharif, belonging from Imran Khan‘s rival camp, while the country’s powerful military establishment is headed by army chief Asim Munir, who is also seen as being at odds with Khan.The cable, numbered I-0678, was reportedly sent by Pakistan’s then-envoy in Washington, Asad Majeed Khan, to Islamabad after a luncheon meeting with then-US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Donald Lu.According to the document, Lu expressed concerns over Imran Khan’s foreign policy stance, particularly on the Russia-Ukraine war.“people here are quite concerned about why Pakistan is taking such an aggressively neutral position on Ukraine. If such a position is even possible. It does not seem neutral stand to us,” Lu said, according to the cable.The document further states that Lu suggested Washington’s concerns could ease if Khan was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.“I think if the no confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the Russia visit is being looked at as a decision by the Prime Minister,” Lu said, according to the cable.“Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead.”The remarks were interpreted by as clear evidence of anti-Imran sentiment within Washington over his perceived proximity to Vladimir Putin and Russia.In his own assessment attached to the cable, ambassador Asad Majeed Khan reportedly wrote that Lu “could not have conveyed such a strong demarche without the express approval of the White House” and had “spoken out of turn on Pakistan’s internal political process.”The cable was marked “secret” and “no circulation,” and was reportedly shared with Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership, including the prime minister’s office, foreign secretary, army chief and ISI leadership.Khan was removed from power through a no-confidence vote on April 9, 2022, just weeks after the meeting detailed in the cable. He has remained imprisoned since 2023 and is currently lodged in solitary confinement.Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have repeatedly alleged that foreign powers and Pakistan’s military establishment worked together to sideline him politically.