US official behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ to oust Imran Khan

Imran Khan was ousted due to independent policies and close ties with China and Russia. The US tried so hard to bend the former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan for their benefit, but he was brilliant. He instead showed his interests in Russia and China, which cost him the seat of PM of Pakistan.

Imran Khan’s rise and downfall

When Imran Khan was elected prime minister in 2018, he seemed to have almost everything. A national hero from his cricketing days, he had transformed into a charismatic politician. After years of struggle, Imran khan managed to supplant the two rival established political dynasties that had dominated Pakistan for decades. He emerged as a new force, with vibrant rallies full of catchy songs that amplified his staunch anti-corruption message and vast social media presence.

Mr Khan promised to bring “change” to the country, creating a “new Pakistan”. No prime minister has ever completed an entire five-year parliamentary tenure in Pakistan, and Imran Khan looked as though he could well be the first. However, his position appeared so secure also helps explain his downfall. Both sides deny it, but it’s widely acknowledged that he came to power with the help of Pakistan’s powerful Army and intelligence services – and now he has fallen out with them. Besides, Mr Khan undoubtedly had significant, genuine public support in 2018.

Mr Khan and the Army had some differences in foreign policy. Although he defended visiting Moscow on the day, Russian troops crossed into Ukraine and brusquely rejected attempts by Western officials to condemn President Vladimir Putin’s behaviour. And Mr Khan, however, has repeatedly indicated he will not give up the fight. He alleges he is the victim of a US-led attempt to affect “regime change” in Pakistan because of the anti-Western tilt in his foreign policy, which has included criticism of America’s war in Afghanistan. Thus the differences between the Army and the anti-Americanism of Mr Khan led to his downfall.

How was the Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, removed?

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been deposed by a no-confidence vote in parliament days after blocking a similar attempt. The passing of the motion on Saturday came after the country’s Supreme Court ruled the cricket star turned politician acted unconstitutionally in previously blocking the process and dissolving parliament. The no-confidence motion, which required 172 votes in the 342-seat parliament to pass, was supported by 174 politicians. Anticipating his loss, Khan, who alleged the Opposition colluded with the United States to unseat him, on Friday and called on his supporters to stage rallies nationwide on Sunday. Khan’s options are limited, and should he see a big turnout in his support, he may try to keep the momentum of street protests to pressure parliament to hold early elections.

Mr Khan, who came to power in 2018 with promises to create a ‘Naya Pakistan’, was dogged by claims of economic mismanagement as his government battled depleting foreign exchange reserves and double-digit inflation. He also lost the support of the powerful Army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year. Finally, he agreed, but it soured his ties with the powerful Armyarmyich has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75 years of existence and has wielded considerable power in security and foreign policy. Mr Khan wanted to keep Lt. Gen Faiz Hameed as the spy chief, but the Army high command transferred him by appointing him Corps Commander in Peshawar. Last month, Prime Minister Khan lost the majority after some coalition partners decided to part ways while several dissidents openly defied his authority. A special session was convened in the light of the verdict by the Supreme Court, which on April 7 declared as unconstitutional a ruling by the deputy speaker to reject the no-trust move against Mr Khan.

What is the role of the USA in the downfall of Imran Khan?

The imminent ouster of Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, though being blamed by his supporters on the pressure applied by “foreign powers”, has more to do with the all-powerful Pakistan Army deciding that Khan has to go, say sources tracking the developments. Imran Khan, in his televised address to Pakistanis on the night of March 31, said that he received a “threatening” letter from the US government on March 7. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the nation on Friday, called the no-confidence motion against his government a “foreign conspiracy”. The PM said the Supreme Court should have initiated an investigation over the “foreign conspiracy” matter. 

During the address, the PM said that even before the no-confidence motion was filed, the US official had warned the Pakistani ambassador that if he managed to save himself from the action, Pakistan would have to face “severe consequences.” The leader maintained that the US official already knew that a no-confidence motion would be submitted against him. They also knew who would come to power if the Opposition ousted him. He slammed the US for arrogance and said that the official told the ambassador that if he were deported, Pakistan would be spared no matter who becomes PM.

Allegations were also levelled against PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif by the PM. Khan said he had prepared his sherwani for the oath-taking ceremony as he was involved in this “foreign conspiracy.” “It is so shameful for the 220 million people of Pakistan that a foreign official is ordering the country’s sitting prime minister through a third person, warning of severe consequences and alluring them of forgiveness if I [Imran Khan] leave the office,” PM said. 

Over Mr Khan’s statement, The United States denied that it encouraged a recent no-confidence vote against Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who alleged that Washington had conspired to topple his government over its independent foreign policy toward the US and Russia. “Let me say very bluntly; there is absolutely no truth to these allegations. Of course, we continue to follow these developments, and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law. But again, these allegations are not true,” State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said at a news conference on Friday.

Meanwhile, Russia has blasted “another attempt of shameless interference” by the United States in the internal affairs of Pakistan, saying that Washington sought to punish a “disobedient” Prime Minister Khan following his visit to Moscow on February 23-24. The spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, said in a statement issued on Monday that the political development in Pakistan “leaves no doubt” that the United States plotted to topple the government of Khan.

Conclusion

The “foreign power” sent millions of dollars to opposition parties to launch a no-confidence vote against Imran Khan in the parliament. TheThe citizens of Pakistan are outraged and have come on the streets against this unfair dismissal of the PM. “History will remember that Imran Khan was not removed for corruption, money laundering or betraying his nation, but he was removed due to his integrity as he stood against world powers and Mafias within the country” these lines are trending on social media all over the World. Mr Khan stood firm against the US and didn’t compromise with it by any unfair means, and showed his interest in the policies of Russia and China; thus, he got to see this day.