Tag: Imran Khan

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce sidestepped a journalist’s question about former premier Imran Khan’s incarceration during a briefing held on Thursday. 

Frontier Post associated journalist Jalil Afridi asked Bruce two questions, one focused on inquiring whether the US administration officially thanked Pakistan for its role in facilitating the arrest of the alleged Kabul Airport suicide bomber mastermind Mohammad Sharifullah.

He then went on to inquire, “Is the President aware that the most popular leader of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been in jail for the last three years now, and a lot of atrocities have happened? Is the president at all interested in paying a little attention to Pakistan?”

The U.S. State Department spokesperson, while sidestepping the second question, said, “I will answer that with noting that in his address to Congress, the president announced the arrest of ISIS-K operative, planned and responsible for killing 13 brave American service members and over 160 Afghan citizens at Abbey Gate.”

The spokesperson further said that the US extended gratitude to the government of Pakistan, adding that the US did collaborate in bringing Mohammad Sharifullah to justice.

Underscoring the significance of the PAK-U.S. relationship in terms of combating terrorism, Bruce said that both countries have a common interest in fighting against terrorism, noting that the arrest of the terrorist illustrated that the Pak-U.S. cooperation on counterterrorism remains “vitally important.”

Speaking to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump had thanked Pakistan for its role in arresting the alleged mastermind behind the 2021 Kabul Airport bombing, Sharifuulah, also known as Jafar.

“Three and a half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members and many others during the Abbey Gate bombing. Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is now on his way to face American justice. I especially want to thank the Government of Pakistan for helping to arrest this monster,” Trump had said while announcing the arrest and imminent extradition of the suspect.

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during the final days of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan killed 13 American soldiers and at least 113 Afghan civilians. Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to media reports, suspect Sharifullah was produced in a Virginia courtroom Wednesday for trial. Sharifullah was told that if proven guilty, he would face lifetime imprisonment.

Prominent journalist and TV host Mohammad Malick claimed on Tuesday that he had talked two to three times to former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa about the claims that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had facilitated settling thousands of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Speaking on his political talk show, the TV host, while responding to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s inquiry about who allowed terrorists to settle in Pakistan, claimed, “I have talked about it two to three times with General Qamar Javed Bajwa.”

The journalist said that on being asked specifically about the resettlement, Bajwa responded that a plan was made to bring and settle 5,000 people, along with their families, in Pakistan; however, the plan was not entertained because Imran Khan’s government was ousted.

Malick quoted Bajwa as saying that following the removal of the PTI government, the plan could not move forward. 

In April 2022, Imran Khan was ousted as the country’s premier in a vote of no confidence, which was presented by the opposition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and others.

After being removed from the office, former premier Imran Khan called the “move” a “foreign conspiracy.”

Speaking on national security on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz paid tribute to security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism. 

He recalled that in 2018, former Prime Minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had successfully eradicated terrorism, but it resurged due to certain forces. “Bringing back terrorists is the worst form of treason,” he had remarked.

The journalist’s statement came hours after terrorists drove two explosives-laden vehicles into the perimeter of Bannu Cantonment on Tuesday evening in an attempt to enter the high-security zone, costing at least 11 people, including five women and four children, their lives.

A leading English Newspaper claimed that six assaulters were killed in the ensuing shootout, which took place in the jurisdiction of the Bannu Cantonment police station.

According to official sources, the explosions were followed by “an unspecified number of militants” during an attempt to infiltrate the camp, leading to a gun battle.

“The attack started at 6:30pm, minutes after Iftar. Militants fired RPGs and grenades during the attack; additional troops and SSG commandoes have been rushed to the area,” the statement added.

Sources also confirmed that 10 security men were among the wounded. The wounded were evacuated to the District Headquarters (DHQ) and Khalifa Gul Nawaz (KGN) hospitals in Bannu, while the injured troops were moved to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Days after Indian cricketer Yograj Singh criticised Pakistani fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram for using harsh words against Pakistani players following their crucial ICC Champions Trophy loss to India, he showered praises on incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday.

“I want to convey to the Pakistan political system and their people that the ‘Koh-i-Noor diamond’ is rarely found, so don’t break it. Listen to him [Imran Khan] what he wants to say or what he wants to do,” Yograj said in response to the question of what he feels from a cricketer’s point of view when he sees the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, being kept in jail.

Recalling his multiple recent meetings with Imran Khan, Yograj said that the latter is a “universe” in himself.

Yograj Singh, also the father of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, made these comments during an exclusive interview on a YouTube channel on Saturday.

On being asked about his recent remarks mocking Akram, Yograj emphasised that one should focus on building players on the ground rather than criticising their own country’s players on television.

Yograj had earlier mocked Wasim when a short clip of the latter taking a jibe at Pakistani players with the remark “itne kele toh bandar nahi khaate” (even monkeys don’t eat this many bananas) emerged online. Yograj maintained that greats like Akram and ex-cricketer Shoaib Akhtar should be ashamed of themselves for making such comments instead of helping the players.

Speaking to a private Indian news agency, Yograj, while opining that Pakistani ex-cricketers don’t hold the same passion [for training younger cricketers] as Indians, said, “They compare themselves with India, but don’t love their country enough to say that we have earned enough money and start training the younger generation.”

In response, without naming Yograj, Wasim Akram, while speaking to Ten Sports three days back, said, “When I see Pakistan coaches – I see Waqar here, who has been sacked quite a few times after becoming a coach – and their condition. Aap log badtameezi karte hain (You guys are disrespectful), I cannot tolerate it.”

“I want to help Pakistan cricket. Why do you want to pay me? I am available free of cost. If you organise a camp and want me to be there, I will. If you want me to spend time with cricketers ahead of a big tournament, I will do that. But I am 58 years old, and at this age, I am not going to take such insults as you guys do. I cannot lead a stressful life at this age,” he said.

Former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan wrote an op-ed in the American news magazine Time on February 28, expressing concerns that Pakistan’s democratic backslide could threaten regional security.

Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 on multiple charges, ranging from corruption to misuse of power. He lost power in April 2022 through a vote of no-confidence in Parliament—an act he alleged to be part of a foreign conspiracy against him.

“The politically motivated charges against me are nothing more than an attempt to silence my fight for democracy. The erosion of democracy in Pakistan has far-reaching consequences,” wrote Khan in Time.

He further asserted: “A destabilized Pakistan threatens regional security, disrupts trade, and weakens global democratic values. The world must recognize the urgency of this crisis—not just for Pakistan’s future, but for the stability of South Asia and beyond.”

He alleged that his political party has been the victim of “unprecedented oppression,” with many international organizations expressing concerns. He also raised the issue of military trials for PTI workers convicted in cases related to the violent riots of May 9, 2023.

Interestingly, Khan also pointed out that if Pakistan continues down this path, it risks losing its preferential trade status with the European Union.

Pakistan has held GSP+ status since 2014, granting it preferential access to the European market. It remains the largest beneficiary among all GSP+ countries, with exports exceeding €6 billion in 2023.

He warned: “Pakistan risks losing its preferential trade status with the EU, a move that would devastate our economy, particularly the textile sector. Yet, those in power in Pakistan continue down their reckless path.”

Khan also lashed out at Pakistani authorities over the surge in terrorism in the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

According to the incarcerated leader, “This has not happened by accident, nor is it simply chance. Rather than addressing these critical security threats, the Pakistani military’s resources have been diverted to a campaign of vengeance against political opponents such as PTI.”

Imran Khan also disclosed that he had authorized his party leaders to engage in dialogue with government leaders to prevent violence.

“Our agenda was clear: a judicial commission to investigate attacks on PTI party workers and unarmed protesters. We also demanded the release of all political prisoners,” he wrote.

“In response, I was offered house arrest in exchange for ambiguous “political space” for PTI, but I rejected this outright”, he added.

He congratulated US President Donald Trump for his “remarkable political comeback.”

“The road ahead will be difficult, but I have no doubt that the people of Pakistan, united in their resolve, will overcome these challenges,” Imran Khan concluded.

Senior journalist Muneeb Farooq, while speaking on the ARY News program on February 27, revealed key political predictions for Pakistan, including a possible timeline for Imran Khan’s release.

“Till 2027, there will neither be a national government nor general elections in between. And Imran Khan will not be released during this time. These are a few things that are not going to happen,” declared Muneeb Farooq.

His statement prompted a response from the show host, Muhammad Malick, who remarked, “You’re speaking as if you’re part of the constitutional bench deciding the final orders on these issues.”

Malick’s comment brought a smile to the faces of all participants, while Muneeb Farooq replied: “I am just a small journalist, and what I’m sharing is simply news; these three things will not happen till 2027. I was very hopeful that some political space could be recovered for Imran Khan.”

He added, “That did not happen, and the situation has become even more serious. Other senior journalists can correct me if I’m wrong, but PTI and other opposition parties currently have no leverage to negotiate with either the government or powerful sectors.”

Muneeb Farooq went on to say that this current system “was stitched together, [and] it has now become strong,” adding that “It is actively pushing its opponents back and instilling fear. That is why this system is here to stay for a while.”

He also opined that any dialogue between government leaders and PTI members would be futile, as the government lacks the power to make significant concessions to PTI.

“Can they [government] guarantee PTI that elections will be held in two years? No, they can’t. Can they offer them [PTI] some political space for Imran Khan? No, they cannot,” Muneeb added.

In early January, Muneeb Farooq quoted a “powerful person” as saying that ongoing negotiations between the government and PTI would yield no results unless Imran Khan admitted to his past political mistakes.

“PTI has only one demand, and that is the release of Imran Khan from jail. Their other demands are not of significant importance […] Khan wants to come out of jail without any restrictions,” the journalist said in a video on his YouTube channel.

He further quoted the “powerful person” as saying that PTI’s chances would improve if Khan “took ten steps back” and admitted his past political mistakes.

Two congressmen, Joe Wilson and August Pfluger, have written a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling for the release of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.  

Republican Representative Joe Wilson took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to share the letter, writing in the caption, “Grateful to join @RepublicanStudy Chairman @RepPfluger to urge @SecRubio to free Imran Khan and work to restore democracy in Pakistan. US-Pakistan relations are strongest when they are based on freedom.”

The letter read, “You (Marco Rubio) recall that Imran Khan was Prime Minister in your first term, and you both shared a strong relationship. He is widely beloved in Pakistan, and his release would usher in a new era of U.S.-Pakistan relations with freedom value at its core”.

Drawing a parallel between Imran Khan and U.S. President Donald J. Trump as victims of “judicial abuse,” the letter stated that Imran Khan was imprisoned on trumped-up charges.  

According to the letter, both congressmen urged Rubio to work with Pakistan to restore democracy, human rights, the rule of law, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly.  

Emphasising that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, must be treated like any other politician, the letter noted, “He (Imran Khan) does not belong in prison, and his persecution is a stain on Pakistan’s history.”

 
“… Your (US Secretary of State) goal is to have the strongest relations with every country in the world, and the strength of the US Pak relationships hinges on freedoms with Imran Khan.”

Earlier this month, Wilson also wrote a letter to the political and military leaders of Pakistan to Free Imran Khan.

The previous letter read, “… I have many disagreements with Mr. Khan, particularly his stance in support of the Chinese Communist Party and War Criminal Putin. However, democracy cannot work if political opponents are unjustly detained on politicised charges rather than defeated in the ballot box.”

“I urge Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law, and respect the fundamental guarantees of due process, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan.”

 
In a letter, Wilson stressed that Imran Khan’s release would be a major step toward strengthening U.S.-Pak relations.

The Republican Party member highlighted that a strong U.S.-Pakistani relationship is in the national interest of both countries. He underscored that, for over 75 years, U.S.-Pakistani bilateral relations have been strongest since Pakistan embraced its democratic ideals of the rule of law.