Imran’s assertions of a foreign conspiracy are false: US
The United States has stated that former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan’s claims that the United States was plotting to overthrow his government through a “regime change” were false, and it has reaffirmed its commitment to its bilateral relations with Pakistan despite the prevalence of “misinformation” and “propaganda” in the region.
When asked to comment on Imran khan’s apparent “backtracking,” US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Wednesday, “As we’ve previously said, there has — there is not and there has never been a truth to these allegations, but I don’t have anything additional to offer.”
Since his dismissal from power in April via a no-confidence vote — the first such expulsion of any prime minister in Pakistan’s history — Imran has accused the United States and the current leadership in Islamabad of conspiring to overthrow his government.
In a recent interview with Financial Times, however, he stated that he no longer “blamed” the US government for his ouster and that he hoped for a “dignified” relationship between Washington and Islamabad.
When asked about the United States suspected involvement in the conspiracy, he stated, “As far as I’m concerned it is over, it’s behind me.”
Opponents interpreted his comments as a retreat from his accusations, but Imran and the PTI leadership insisted that his words had been misunderstood and twisted.
On Wednesday, when asked for his thoughts on the topic, Vedant began by noting, “The US values our longstanding cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.”
That has not altered.
The United States does not support “one political candidate of a party over another,” he added.
When done peacefully, we fully back the defense of democratic, constitutional, and legal norms. Our relationship with Pakistan is a valued bilateral partner, and we will not allow propaganda, misinformation, or disinformation to damage it.
When pressed for further clarification, Vendant replied, “As we’ve previously said, there has — there is not and there has never been a truth to these allegations, but I have nothing additional to offer.”
It was then brought to his attention that Imran had previously called his trip to Russia on the eve of Moscow’s war on Ukraine “embarrassing” in an interview with the Financial Times.
When questioned about the timing of the visit last year, the PTI government defended it as being in keeping with the shift in policy toward geoeconomics.
Moreover, Imran clarified to Financial Times that preparations for the visit began months in advance.
Thus, Vedant concluded, “I really don’t have anything else to offer on foreign minister — or former prime minister Khan’s comments on that.”
Vendant said, “I don’t have any specific meetings or calls to read out,” in response to “rumors” that PTI leaders met with the US ambassador in Islamabad.
