A classified Pakistani diplomatic telegram has surfaced, reportedly indicating an alleged US-backed effort to remove the Imran Khan-led government in Islamabad, according to a report.
The secret diplomatic cipher, dated March 7, 2022, is being cited as evidence of alleged American involvement in the political developments that eventually led to Khan’s ouster from power.
The revelations have renewed scrutiny of Pakistan-US relations at a time when Islamabad is reportedly attempting to mediate between Washington and Iran amid ongoing regional tensions. However, those efforts have faced repeated obstacles, with both Donald Trump and Iran’s leadership maintaining firm positions.
Pakistan is currently governed by Shehbaz Sharif, a political rival of Khan, while the country’s military establishment is headed by army chief Asim Munir, who is also widely viewed as being at odds with the former prime minister.
The cable, identified as I-0678, was reportedly sent by Pakistan’s then-envoy in Washington, Asad Majeed Khan, to Islamabad following a luncheon meeting with then-US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Donald Lu.
According to the document, Lu expressed concerns over Imran Khan’s foreign policy stance, particularly regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.
“People here are quite concerned about why Pakistan is taking such an aggressively neutral position on Ukraine. If such a position is even possible. It does not seem neutral stand to us,” Lu reportedly said during the meeting.
The document further claims that Lu suggested Washington’s concerns could ease if Khan was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence motion.
“I think if the no confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the Russia visit is being looked at as a decision by the Prime Minister,” Lu reportedly said.
“Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead.”
The remarks were interpreted by Khan’s supporters as evidence of hostility within Washington toward the Pakistani leader over his perceived closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow.
In his own assessment attached to the cable, ambassador Asad Majeed Khan reportedly wrote that Lu “could not have conveyed such a strong demarche without the express approval of the White House” and had “spoken out of turn on Pakistan’s internal political process.”
The cable was marked “secret” and “no circulation” and was reportedly shared with Pakistan’s senior civilian and military leadership, including the prime minister’s office, foreign secretary, army chief and ISI leadership.
Imran Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote on April 9, 2022, weeks after the meeting described in the cable. Since 2023, he has remained imprisoned and is reportedly being held in solitary confinement.
Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have repeatedly alleged that foreign powers and Pakistan’s military establishment worked together to sideline him politically.
