A senior US official has publicly defended Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu against the misinformation fueled by Pakistan Tahreek Insaf PTI. It comes nearly 15 months after his remarks, as reported in a diplomatic cipher sent to Islamabad, caused uproar in Pakistan.
In a rare moment of transparency, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Horst openly defended Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu against false allegations.
Horst stated that the accusations were categorically untrue and emphasized that the US had communicated this stance publicly and privately. Although the US has previously refuted the claims made by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, they had not explicitly named Lu, who was accused of orchestrating the no-confidence vote that led to Khan’s ouster in April of the previous year.
Horst made these candid remarks during a conference on the future of Pakistan-US relations in Houston. She clarified that the US remains neutral in Pakistani politics, with no preference for any particular candidate or party. Horst emphasized the importance of addressing disinformation and expressed the US’s commitment to working with any government chosen by the Pakistani people.
She affirmed the US government’s support for democratic principles, freedom of expression, and the rule of law globally. Horst highlighted the focus on people, investment, economy, climate, and prosperity in the new chapter of US-Pakistan relations.
She referenced Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s message during the 75th diplomatic anniversary, underscoring the historical support between the two countries.
Pakistan’s US ambassador, Masood Khan, expressed gratitude for the US’s support in approving the $3 billion stand-by arrangement between the IMF and Pakistan during the event organized by the International Academy of Letters.
