Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has urged the United States to speak out against electoral rigging in Pakistan. After a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail, party leader Barrister Saif informed reporters that Khan believes the US has an opportunity to rectify its past role and enhance its credibility in promoting democracy in Pakistan.
Saif quoted Khan, stating that the US should leverage its influence to effectively counter electoral rigging in Pakistan. This surprising statement comes in the wake of Imran Khan’s previous accusations, blaming the US for orchestrating his removal from power in 2022. Saif’s reference to the “past role” could allude to Khan’s allegations against the US in the context of his ouster.
It is noteworthy that Imran Khan has already received a 10-year prison sentence in the cipher case, accusing him of disclosing the contents of a classified diplomatic cable sent by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington.
In his defense, Khan asserted that the cipher’s contents were evidence of a US-backed conspiracy to oust him, a claim he made shortly after being removed through a vote of no-confidence.
The US response to Khan’s plea has been measured, acknowledging Pakistan’s elections as competitive but urging a thorough investigation into allegations of rigging. The dynamics between Imran Khan and the United States continue to evolve, adding complexity to the narrative surrounding Pakistan’s political landscape and its interactions with the global community.
