ISLAMABAD: Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday challenged the administration of US President Joe Biden, asking him whether he thought that by ‘removing’ the PTI regime, he had increased or decreased anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

In a series of tweets, the former PM also posted a video of a US defence analyst, claiming that it corroborated his claim about the US agenda behind the toppling of his government.

The PTI chief, whose time in power was marked by a distinct lack of direct communication between him and the White House, alleged that the Biden administration had indulged in “a regime change conspiracy to remove a democratically elected PM”, implying that this would only fan the flames of anti-Americanism among the population.

After holding a meeting of his party’s core committee, the PTI chairman alleged that after his ouster the government was handed over to “corrupt people” so that they would follow US policies and limit relations with China and Russia.

Former PM touts analyst’s Fox News interview as ‘proof of plot’ against his regime

In a video message, Mr Khan claimed that the American analyst, who had been heading a think tank related to defence, “admitted that the US removed Pakistan’s Prime Minister”, because he was following an independent foreign policy and wanted to remain neutral. “She also said the former premier was increasing relations with China and wanted to enhance trade with Russia,” he quoted her.

Mr Khan was referring to a clip from Fox News where US security and defence analyst Dr Rebecca Grant said Pakistan needed to support Ukraine, stop looking for deals with Russia and limit its involvement with China. She also suggested stopping the anti-American policies which were part of the reason that he was voted out of power a couple of weeks ago.

“I told you that the government was toppled through a foreign conspiracy and placed the letter in front of nation. I sent it to Chief Justice of Pakistan, president and National Assembly speaker. Later, it was also placed in the National Security Council and informed it that it was clearly mentioned that a foreign conspiracy was hatched against the democracy and Pakistan’s independence. However, Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq were involved in the conspiracy from within the country,” Mr Khan claimed.

“Initially people did not believe in it. A number of journalists and ‘recent’ prime minister said it was not correct. However, later everything was proved, as the NSC again said the letter/cable was genuine,” he said.

Mr Khan said Russia was ready to sell wheat and petroleum products at 30pc less rates due to which there would be less burden on people of Pakistan. “Analyst said the change was made to ensure the new prime minister followed the policies of the US and would not remain neutral,” he said.

He alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led coalition government would limit Pakistan’s relation with China and reconsider the decision of trade with Russia.

“PML-N has come with an agenda and a conspiracy was hatched to make ‘the most corrupt’ person Prime Minister of Pakistan. There are corruption cases of Rs40 billion on the Sharif family and it has brought into power to follow the US instructions,” he said.

Giving reference of the post 9/11 developments, Mr Khan said Pakistan became part of US war due to which 80,000 people died, country faced 400 drone attacks, tribal area was destroyed for the benefit of another country. “That is why I have urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a commission and hold open hearing so that it would be unearthed that who had betrayed the country,” he said.

“They have lodged cases of blasphemy against us but fact is that cases of sedition should be lodged against current govt. I urge masses to come out of houses for the sake of independence of Pakistan,” he said.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said a campaign for character assassination of Mr Khan would be initiated soon and fake videos and audios would be used to defame him.

Without mentioning the name of Reham Khan, he said even in 2018 money was paid to a woman who wrote a book against Mr Khan. However, he said that millions of people would continue to support Mr Khan.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2022