New Leak Revives Controversy Over Imran Khan's Ouster in Pakistan
Who Leaked Pakistan’s Cypher, The Explosive Document That Has Reignited Imran Khan's Ouster Debate?
Image: News 18
A classified diplomatic cypher leak has reignited the debate over former Prime Minister Imran Khan's ouster, claiming US involvement in his removal. The document, leaked by investigative outlet Drop Site, suggests US officials pressured Pakistan to remove Khan, particularly after his controversial visit to Moscow during the Ukraine invasion. This has led to renewed scrutiny of the military's role in Pakistan's political landscape.
- 01The leaked cypher allegedly details US diplomat Donald Lu's concerns over Imran Khan's foreign policy and suggests improved relations could follow his removal.
- 02The National Security Committee acknowledged US officials' language as 'blatant interference' but did not fully endorse Khan's narrative of a foreign conspiracy.
- 03The document's most controversial line suggests that if the no-confidence vote succeeded, 'all will be forgiven in Washington.'
- 04Drop Site claims the leak originated from within Pakistan's military establishment, contradicting earlier speculation about the Prime Minister's Office.
- 05Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is expected to leverage the leak to support claims of foreign-engineered regime change.
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The recent leak of a classified diplomatic cypher has intensified the political turmoil in Pakistan, particularly regarding the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Investigative outlet Drop Site published the document, allegedly detailing conversations between US officials and Pakistan's then-ambassador to Washington, Asad Majeed Khan. The cypher reportedly indicates that US diplomat Donald Lu expressed frustration with Khan's foreign policy, especially his visit to Moscow on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, and hinted that US-Pakistan relations could improve if Khan were removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. This has led to renewed allegations of foreign interference, which Khan and his party have long claimed. The National Security Committee acknowledged that the language used by US officials amounted to interference but stopped short of supporting Khan's narrative of a conspiracy. The leak has prompted speculation about its origins, with Drop Site claiming it came from within Pakistan's military establishment, suggesting divisions within the state apparatus regarding Khan's removal. As the political landscape remains volatile, Khan's party is expected to use this leak to bolster claims of external influence in his ouster.
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The leak could significantly affect public perception of the military's role in politics and the legitimacy of Khan's ouster, potentially leading to further political instability.
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