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Fantasy or Reality?: Can Donald Trump help Imran Khan get freedom from his jail incarceration?

Can Donald Trump help Imran Khan get freedom from his jail incarceration?

  • Yes, a single order from Trump is enough

    Votes: 4 40.0%

  • No, he can't do so and it is just a fantasy

    Votes: 6 60.0%
  • Total voters
    10
Bewal Express said:
You guys came here to tell us that Trump won't do anything for IK and we said that is true and then you ignored that and kept telling us again and again that he cant do anything, and again we said it was true. So I just thought I would trigger you guys and it worked.
Click to expand...
Oh ok,phew for a second I thought you actually believed some of the things you were saying. Good to know you are normal and just trolling. All good 👍
 
Even though I created this thread but I have very low expectations from Trump. In international politics, it's always about scratching one back. US had problems in Afghanistan then but nothing much to offer now. Infact, what Trump would be looking ie the acceptance of Israel by Pakistan and distancing with China could be better than by the incumbent government than IK.

Very strong lobbying or making the issue personal to Trump could be the only hope for PTI but even for that someone needs to properly convey the insults hurled by current government members on Trump. Currently Trump has far more important issues to deal with
 
From "Trump is a xenophobe who hates Muslims" in 2016 to "Please sir, help IK" in 2024. How things change over here :jk

I doesn't see any administration, Republican or Democrat, want anything to do with Pakistan unless PAK willingly goes ahead and helps them destabilise Iran just like they did with AFG etc.
 
I guess we will find out soon ... that it was just a pipe dream! LOL
 
Trump bats for Trump and although the Junta are kacking their pants, they will offer enough to the Israeli lobby to keep Kaptaan in jail . IK will be freed when Mistry is cornered by PKs or he doesn't see him as a threat, neither of which is in the offing at the moment.

The Mistry came in with a clean slate and could have shown his loyalty to PK, but instead he showed hid loyalty to a criminal and not PK or its constitution. He has made himself President for life But as Zia and Mush found to their cost, nothing lasts forever.
 
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Fawad Chaudhry wants Trump to investigate PTI founder’s ouster

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has called on the United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump to personally investigate the ousting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s government, ARY News reported.

In a statement, Fawad Chaudhry said that Donald Trump’s advisors also believe the President Joe Biden administration was ‘involved’ in ouster of Imran Khan as the prime minister of Pakistan.

Citing what he termed ‘similarities’ between Donald Trump and Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry said that the US president-elect also faced similar ‘fake cases just like Imran Khan is facing in Pakistan’.

He said that the people’s decision has been accepted in the US election 2024, but the nation’s mandate was ‘disregarded’ in Pakistan’s general elections.


arynews.tv

Fawad Chaudhry wants Trump to investigate PTI founder's ouster

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has called on the United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump to personally investigate the ousting
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Nikhil_cric said:
From "Trump is a xenophobe who hates Muslims" in 2016 to "Please sir, help IK" in 2024. How things change over here :jk

I doesn't see any administration, Republican or Democrat, want anything to do with Pakistan unless PAK willingly goes ahead and helps them destabilise Iran just like they did with AFG etc.
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I posted a similar thing. What will Trump or US benefit by helping Mr.Kaptaan?

Imran in his previous speeches has clearly said he will not let US use Pakistan as a base to attack any neighboring nation. When US ran away from Afghanistan, he said Taliban broke the slave shackles or something similar to that. Then under his watch, you saw Pak ISI chief having tea in Kabul celebrating USA ouster in a cowardly way. Pakistan did not even hide its role in USA's undignified exit from Afghanistan.

With all this bad blood, some Pakistanis are hoping that USA and Trump of all people to help Imran Khan to give him get out of jail card.
 
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As I said before Trump is a money man and Kushner is friends with MBS, who is fully part of the regime change backers. MBS will give them the access and i don't expect any pressure to come from Trump. But as you see on a daily basis the desi gods are taking the patch work quilt methodology and have no plan except to stay in power to mint billions.
 
Never rule out anything.

Trump always like big personality people , so no chance Nawaz or Zardari gets a preference from Trump.

Trump also seems a straight guy so no chance Billo gets job done from Trump.

Trump has seen it all unless Maryam does a strip show for him , so no chance.

Trump has a liking for IK.... so just to poke the jokers sitting in govt in Pak, Trump might push for IK release
 

Trump 2.0: Will China and Imran Khan test Pakistan ties with the US?​

Islamabad, Pakistan – Amid a flurry of congratulatory messages from political leaders worldwide following his victory in the US presidential election, Donald Trump received a message from an unexpected source: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his “very good friend” who is currently in jail.

In a brief, 55-word post on his X social media account, Khan congratulated Trump on his win and said the will of the American people “held against all odds”.

“President Elect Trump will be good for Pak-US relations based on mutual respect for democracy and human rights. We hope he will push for peace, human rights, and democracy globally,” Khan’s message read.

Will Trump intervene on Khan’s behalf?

While most experts believe Pakistan is unlikely to be a priority for the new administration, Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is hopeful that Trump’s win could ease the political troubles faced by the former prime minister, who just two years ago accused the US, under President Joe Biden, of meddling in Pakistan’s domestic politics to remove him from power.

Former Pakistan president and a senior member of PTI, Arif Alvi, congratulated Trump for his victory, adding that “free and fair” elections allowed “the citizens of America to make their dreams come true”.

“We look forward to continued cooperation as democratic nations. Indeed, your victory must have sent shivers down the spine of dictators and aspiring dictators of the world,” Alvi wrote on platform X.

But Pakistan’s officials appeared confident that the US under Trump would not pressure them for Khan’s release – and laid down Islamabad’s red line on the matter.

“Pakistan and the United States are old friends and partners, and we will continue to pursue our relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual confidence and noninterference in each other’s domestic affairs,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters on Thursday.

Source: Al Jazeera
 
Trump will not doing anything for IK but its great to see the desi spend their days( nights) running in and out of toilets. Flurry of activity with visits to US, Saudi and Switzerland.
 
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Former PTI minister Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that Imran Khan’s connection with the Trump family dates back to the 1980s. In an interview with a private TV channel, Chaudhry said that pictures of Imran with Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana, are available online, saying it reflects a long-standing relationship and familiarity between Imran and the Trump family.

For the record, Ivana and Donald Trump had a highly publicised divorce in 1992 amid Ivana’s allegations of sexual assault against her ex-husband, which were eventually settled.

In 2015, Ivana responded to a Daily Beast report citing her divorce deposition, where she had claimed Trump allegedly raped her. In the same statement, she clarified that she was now “the best of friends” with him.

The couple, who married in 1977 and divorced in 1992, had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Ivana passed away in July 2022

Source: Geo

 
Trump’s Victory and Imran Khan

With Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. election, discussions have emerged regarding the possible effects on Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Given Trump’s success, many wonder if his presidency might provide relief to Imran Khan and PTI. This question touches on several areas where Trump’s policies may align or contrast with Imran Khan’s approach.

Firstly, the personal relationship between Trump and Khan has been relatively positive. During Trump’s first term, they collaborated on issues like the Afghan crisis and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump’s 2019 reception of Khan in Washington was warm, highlighting a foundation of respect that could continue to benefit PTI.

Both leaders also advocate for an independent foreign policy. Trump’s “America First” approach aligns with Imran Khan’s vision of prioritising Pakistan’s autonomy. Under Khan, Pakistan took neutral stances on issues such as the Afghan conflict, U.S.-China tensions, and relations with Russia, avoiding entanglement in foreign conflicts.

However, Trump’s track record on human rights could be a limitation. Known for prioritising strategic interests over human rights, he is unlikely to focus on Pakistan’s internal issues unless they intersect with U.S. concerns. Given the May 9 attacks on military installations and the resulting crackdown on PTI leaders, international bodies like Amnesty International have raised alarms, but Trump may not prioritise these concerns.

Moreover, Trump’s outlook on democracy tends towards authoritarianism, and he admires leaders like Putin and Kim Jong-un. This perspective resonates with the U.S.’s historic tendency to work with stable, authoritative regimes in Pakistan. As long as Pakistan’s government aligns with U.S. strategic interests, the Trump administration is unlikely to intervene in favour of Imran Khan or PTI.

Ultimately, U.S. policy toward Pakistan will likely remain rooted in regional security and counterterrorism interests, particularly concerning Afghanistan and the U.S.-China rivalry. Imran Khan’s political fate is unlikely to hinge on Trump’s support, with U.S. attention centred on its own strategic goals.

Source: The Nation
 
Pakistani Americans, PTI and PTI Lobbies have pumped millions of dollars into the Trump campaign this time in exchange for support for rule of law, supporting democracy and IKs release in Pakistan just like PDM ie PML N and PPP pumped money to the Biden campaign in 2020 in exchange for the promise they will have IK removed from office.

It's halal from PDM to use foreign sources to their benefit but Haram for pti.
 

KP to take action against PTI worker over US flag display at Swabi rally​


Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser on Information to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has announced that legal proceedings will be initiated against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter who waved the US flag at a party rally in Swabi.

At the PTI rally, a worker unexpectedly waved a US flag, sparking tension among attendees. As soon as the flag appeared, nearby supporters urged him to lower it, calling for the display to stop.

The situation intensified as attendees pointed towards the flag, prompting close-by workers to forcibly try to seize it. Amid some scuffling, the worker eventually lowered the flag.

A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions.

Barrister Saif responded, clarifying that PTI rejects the display of the US flag. He added that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also expressed strong disapproval.

This incident comes amid PTI's hopes that US President-elect Donald Trump, once in office in January, might influence Pakistani authorities regarding matters concerning the party’s founder, Imran Khan.

Khan, a former prime minister, has been in jail for over a year. Although he has been either acquitted or had sentences suspended in multiple cases, he remains imprisoned due to a fresh case.

In the same rally, KP CM Gandapur also vowed to secure the PTI founder’s release, stating that party workers were even ready to “sacrifice their lives” for this purpose.

www.thenews.com.pk

KP to take action against PTI worker over US flag display

Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser on Information to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has announced that legal proceedings will be initiated against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ...
www.thenews.com.pk www.thenews.com.pk
 
According to a journalist, the govt and the establishment has devised a strategy that if the call or pressure for IKs release does come from the US, they will point blank tell the US they have no issues with IK going abroad in exile but they will not allow him to be free and resuming his political activities in Pakistan again. They know full well IK will refuse this offer and the establishment in turn will tell the Americans look we offered him a nice deal, he is being stubborn by refusing to accept it, therefore please forget about him and just deal with us.
 
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US President-elect Donald Trump's recent nominee for Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, tagged a Geo News Story on X (formerly Twitter) that referred to him as "homosexual" and called for the release of founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan

Screenshot_20241218-204506.jpg

On December 16, Richard Grenell posted a screenshot of a Geo News Urdu article with a headline translated in English as "Homosexual Richard Grenell appointed as Trump's envoy" with a caption: "I'll say it again, @geonews_urdu: Free Imran Khan."

Expectedly, the post went viral, with most PTI supporters and leaders appreciating the US official for raising his voice in support of the former Prime Minister.

Former US congressman Matt Gaetz also reposted Grenell's post with the caption: "Free Imran Khan!"

Grenell previously served as ambassador to Germany during Trump's first administration, special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and acting director of national intelligence.

National Public Radio (NPR) reported Grenell for having a reputation of "sometimes employing a contentious approach to diplomacy that rankled allies and the foreign policy establishment in Washington."

Source: The Current
 

"Free Imran Khan": Trump's incoming envoy Richard Grenell calls for ex-Pak PM's release​


US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, on Wednesday, called for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, who is detained on charges of corruption in Pakistan.

In an interview with the American news outlet Newsmax, Grenell discussed the relationship between the US and Pakistan during Trump's first term as president, noting that the relationship with Pakistan improved when Khan took to power.

According to Grenell, the former Pakistani Prime Minister was seen as an outsider and not a traditional politician, emphasising a connection with Donald Trump.

He pointed out that Khan is facing allegations similar to those that led to the imprisonment of former President Trump and called for his release, aligning his situation with that of President Trump.

"We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said.

"I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations, and he's in prison now," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Grenell, in reply to the US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller's post in X, called for the release of the PTI founder.

He further slammed the State Department Spokesperson stating that the US's concern over the "sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal" was late and that the effort was "too little and too weak."

"You are late. And this is too little and too weak. Speak normally. Free Imran Khan," Grenell said on X in reply to Miller's post on X where he stated, "The United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal and calls upon Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process."

Aaj TV English/ Lokmat Times
 
The Americans are desperate to undo their terrible reputation after they overthrow IK along with Bajwa and the mafia. The mafia have acted as God but suddenly they have started to worship their American God. We Told Munir that contemporary God's don't last long. Let's see you act tough and turn away the IMF and the Americans. Suddenly he looks lonely with Abbu Biden going and no support from PK awaam. Haraami you will rot in hell for the murder of those innocent people. Richard will bend you over like you are doing Yoga.
 

Richard Grenell slams Khawaja Asif over remarks about Imran Khan​


Richard Grenell, former US ambassador and President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy nominee, criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for alleging that Israel-backed Western voices were campaigning for ex prime minister Imran Khan’s release from prison.

“The death threats, and crazy talk … from the Minister of Defence is reckless,” Grenell posted on X, tagging the IMF and USAID. “There should be a review of what the US taxpayer provides Pakistan in aid.”

Asif had claimed that Western figures calling for Khan’s release were supported by Israel, which Pakistan does not recognise. “This clearly shows that Imran Khan is an Israeli asset through which they want to destroy the only Muslim nuclear power,” he said in a statement.

In response, Grenell demanded explanations from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh.

Earlier, Grenell urged the Biden administration to advocate for Khan’s release before leaving office, stating it would allow him to participate in Pakistan's political process.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office declined to comment on Grenell’s remarks. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Thursday, “As far as any individual capacity, anyone making statements in their individual capacity, we would not like to comment on that.”

Source: The Express Tribune
 
FO parries questions on air strikes, US official’s comments

Amid a flurry of activity on the diplomatic front, the year-end press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday left several questions unanswered, as the Foreign Office spokesperson parried queries regarding recent air strikes on Afghanistan, as well as pro-Imran Khan statements from an official of the incoming Donald Trump administration.

Responding to a volley of questions about voices from the US, including President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming aide, Richard Grenell, demanding Imran Khan’s release, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said she would not like to comment on “anyone making statements in their individual capacity”.

“We would like to have positive, constructive relations with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs… We will continue to engage with officials and public personalities in the United States and discuss with them, issues of mutual interest and mutual concern,” she remarked.

Talking about the recent sanctions imposed on three commercial entities and one government entity involved with Pakistan’s missile programme, she said these measures were taken by US authorities unilaterally and were not the result of bilateral discussions or negotiations.

“We believe these unilateral measures are unfounded and irrational. It is important that in taking such measures, the United States shall take into account strategic stability in South Asia,” the spokesperson added.

She reiterated that Pakistan’s strategic and missile programme eas defensive in nature. “It is not at all directed against the United States or any other country. It is regional in context, it’s a modest programme. So we do not understand the logic that this modest programme of a friendly country in South Asia could somehow threaten the security of a superpower,” she remarked.

Military trials

Responding to questions about strong statements from Western capitals regarding the recent conviction of civilians by military courts — and the threat of Pakistan losing its GSP-plus status — Ms Baloch said that Pakistan was fully committed to its international human rights obligations.

She reassured the international community that those sentenced by court martial would be afforded remedy by the country’s legal system and reaffirmed commitment to “international human rights obligations”.

“Pakistani system has the remedy of judicial review by Superior Courts, and it guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will continue to uphold our Constitution and Pakistani law and our obligations under international law,” she said.

She also underlined that Pakistan’s relations with the European Union were multifaceted. “This is a mutually beneficial relationship. It is not a one agenda relationship. We will continue to work with the European Union to promote this relationship and to move forward.”

Afghanistan airstrikes

Although multiple questions were posed to her regarding the recent air strikes, claimed by security officials as having targeted camps of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, she avoided directly confirming the action.

However, she maintained that Pakistan’s security and law enforcement personnel do conduct operations in the border areas to protect the people of Pakistan from terror groups, including the TTP.

“These operations are carefully selected and are based on authentic and concrete intelligence,” she said, without elaborating.

She was also asked about the apparent disconnect in diplomacy and military actions — as Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq was in Kabul for talks the day of the air strike.

But sidestepping the question, she maintained that the special envoy had discussed all matters relating to the terror groups with Afghan leaders, adding that Pakistan believed in dialogue and diplomacy and had prioritised diplomacy in its dealings with Afghanistan.

DAWN NEWS
 

Why are Donald Trump’s allies cheering for Pakistan’s Imran Khan?​


When Richard Grenell, a close confidante of Donald Trump, the incoming United States president, demanded the release of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan last November during protests in Islamabad, the post went viral.

In another since-deleted tweet the same day, Grenell wrote, “Watch Pakistan. Their Trump-like leader is in prison on phony charges, and the people have been inspired by the US Red Wave. Stop the political prosecutions around the world!”

With both tweets garnering hundreds of thousands of views, on December 16, a day after Trump nominated him as a presidential envoy for special missions, Grenell repeated his demand for Khan’s release. This time, the post racked up more than 10 million views.

The message gained further momentum when Matt Gaetz, another Republican and a former Trump nominee for attorney general, also wrote, “Free Imran Khan”.

The posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) were seen as a significant boost for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which has been advocating for their leader’s release since August 2023.

But many commentators said they were sceptical about this interest in Khan shown by Trump allies translating into meaningful pressure on Pakistan to release the ex-premier. And some pointed out a deep irony in the PTI, the country’s most popular political party, trying to lobby the US for help – less than three years after it accused Washington of a role in Khan’s removal.

Khan’s government was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote after nearly four years in power.

He alleged a US-led conspiracy, in collusion with Pakistan’s powerful military, as the cause of his removal, rallying his supporters to protest nationwide. Both the US and the Pakistani military have strongly denied these allegations.

Since then, Khan and his party have faced a wave of crackdowns. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on dozens of charges and convictions. His party’s symbol – a cricket bat – was banned from Pakistan’s national election last February, forcing its candidates to contest as independents.

Meanwhile, since Khan’s removal, relations between Pakistan and the US appear to have marginally improved, with the Biden administration appointing Donald Blome as US ambassador to Pakistan in May 2022, after the post was vacant since August 2018.

Throughout the crackdown on Khan and the PTI, US officials have largely refrained from commenting, calling it an internal matter for Pakistan. However, influential Pakistani diaspora groups in the US, the majority of whom support Khan and the PTI, have campaigned extensively among American politicians to seek relief for Khan.

“The vocal advocacy of the Pakistani diaspora in the US, particularly around the release of Imran Khan, adds layers of complexity to this relationship,” Hassan Abbas, a professor at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera.

Their efforts led the US Congress to hold a hearing on the “future of democracy” in Pakistan in March last year, prompted by bipartisan calls for President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to scrutinise Pakistan’s controversial elections in February 2024.

Months later, in October, more than 60 Democratic legislators urged Biden to leverage Washington’s influence over Islamabad to secure Khan’s release. Then, just days before the US election on November 5, Atif Khan, a senior PTI leader in the US, met Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump to discuss concerns about Khan’s incarceration.

On January 22, two days after the new Trump administration takes office, another congressional hearing is expected on Capitol Hill regarding the November protests in Islamabad, during which at least 12 PTI workers died. The PTI blames the authorities for the casualties.

So far, Islamabad has dismissed the significance of the comments coming from Trump allies. Last month, the Pakistani foreign office said the country seeks relations based on “mutual respect, mutual interest, and noninterference in each other’s domestic affairs.”

“As for anyone making statements in their individual capacity, we would not like to comment on that,” said Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the foreign office spokesperson, during a media briefing.

Rana Ihsaan Afzal, spokesperson for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said the government views remarks from individuals like Grenell or Gaetz as opinions of “private American citizens.”

“Government does not respond to individual citizens’ remarks. We look forward to working with the new administration, and only if there is agitation at the government level will there be a need to issue a formal response,” Afzal told Al Jazeera.

Syed Mohammad Ali, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, described PTI supporters’ campaigning for US support as “kind of ironic”.

“From pushing the idea of US intervention to topple the PTI government, the PTI-supporting diaspora is now wooing the incoming US administration to have a stronger role in what is happening in Pakistani politics,” Ali told Al Jazeera.

“But leaving aside that irony, it does show that for overseas Pakistanis sitting far from the country, many of them see Imran Khan as their knight in shining armour.”

Trump, who in his first term criticised Pakistan for providing “nothing but lies and deceit,” later developed a rapport with Khan during the latter’s premiership from 2018 to 2022.

The two first met in Washington in July 2019 and again in Davos in January 2020, where Trump called Khan his “very good friend.”

By contrast, relations between Khan and Biden were frosty. Khan often criticised Biden for never contacting him after assuming the presidency in November 2020.

Former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, acknowledged the Pakistani diaspora’s effectiveness in mobilising support. “They have persuaded individuals in both parties to call for Khan’s release,” he told Al Jazeera.

However, Haqqani, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, cautioned that Pakistan remains a low priority for Trump’s foreign policy.

“It is naive for PTI supporters to think they can find leverage with US officials this way. Apart from one or two statements, there’s no sign of a broader policy shift,” Haqqani said.

Ali, who is also a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, emphasised the disconnect between US domestic politics and foreign policy.

“The Trump administration may adopt a more transactional approach. Pakistan has benefitted in the past during Republican regimes, but currently, it isn’t a significant player in US plans,” he said.

Haqqani noted that US leverage often involves sanctions and economic pressures, but Pakistan, no longer a major aid recipient, offers limited options for influence.

“Pakistan used to be a leading recipient of US aid post-9/11. But in recent years, aid has drastically reduced. Issues like Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs, its relationship with China, and alleged support for militants are what concern the US,” he said.

“And Khan isn’t particularly useful on any of those fronts.”

www.aljazeera.com

Why are Donald Trump’s allies cheering for Pakistan’s Imran Khan?

From Richard Grenell to Matt Gaetz, their comments reflect overseas PTI campaigning for Khan’s release. Will it work?
www.aljazeera.com www.aljazeera.com
 

'No proposal made to release Imran, no pressure for his release': Khawaja Asif​


Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has categorically denied allegations from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the government offered to transfer former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Bani Gala or place him under house arrest.

Speaking at an event in Sialkot on Saturday, Asif dismissed the claims as baseless. "No such proposal has been made, nor is there any pressure for his release," he stated.

Asif clarified that the government has no involvement in decisions regarding Khan’s detention or relocation, stressing that such matters are solely within the judiciary’s jurisdiction.

The minister also accused PTI of fabricating narratives for political mileage. "These claims are entirely unfounded and are part of PTI’s ongoing attempts to mislead the public," he said.

He further added, "Imran Khan’s future will be decided by the courts, not by the government. I have no connection with the judiciary and am certainly not a fortune-teller to predict court outcomes."

Asif criticised PTI for its alleged attempts to destabilise the country, declaring that "all their efforts to harm Pakistan have failed." He expressed the government’s resolve to maintain political stability and ensure the rule of law.

The defence minister's remarks come in the wake of a statement by Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, who claimed earlier this week that authorities had offered the former premier a deal to move him from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to his residence in Banigala.

According to Aleema, the offers were reportedly made through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. She alleged that her brother was repeatedly asked to remain silent in exchange for the transfer but questioned how he could accept house arrest after enduring jail time.

However, both the government and PTI have denied any such offers.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
No demand from US for relief to PTI Founder, says Khawaja Asif

According to reports, Asif accused PTI of spreading false information and trying to damage Pakistan’s reputation by wrongly linking their political issues to the U.S Congress.

He criticized Imran Khan and PTI for shifting from their earlier “Absolutely Not” stance to “Absolutely Yes,” saying this shows a complete change in their position.

He also accused PTI of staging fake dramas, including claims about congressional hearings, to gain public sympathy and political advantage.

Referring to the events of May 9, Asif stated that PTI’s efforts to create chaos and conspiracy have repeatedly failed, and accountability for those involved will continue.

He revealed that during a past protest, the PTI founder Imran Khan agreed to one plan, but Bushra Bibi pushed for a march toward D-Chowk instead.

Asif further blamed PTI for causing a deadlock in negotiations, saying they are not serious about talks. He added that the truth behind their political maneuvers will soon be exposed.

Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S., he said, is built on 76 years of diplomacy and mutual interests, not on short-term political games.

arynews.tv

No demand from US for relief to PTI Founder, says Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the United States has made no demand to provide relief to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
Trump has sent a rocket up the crooked Generals backside because of what they said about him when he lost in 2020 but ultimately he can't save PK from these thugs, only PKs can. He can however stop supporting these thugs with IMF money which BIden gave in return for overthrowing IK.
 

In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s Followers Are Counting on Trump to Free Him​


In Pakistan’s turbulent politics, it has long been held that Allah, the army and America hold sway over who wields power.

Supporters of Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister, are now pinning their hopes on getting him freed — however fanciful — on the wild card among the three: the incoming administration of Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Trump has said nothing publicly to indicate that he plans to intervene in Mr. Khan’s case. Once he is sworn in as president on Monday, Pakistan is unlikely to rank high among Mr. Trump’s foreign policy priorities.

But a series of posts on social media by one of Mr. Trump’s close allies has inspired almost messianic certainty among Mr. Khan’s followers that the once and future American president will help secure his freedom.

The Trump ally, Richard Grenell, has repeatedly demanded Mr. Khan’s release in messages on X. Mr. Grenell, who was ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence in the first Trump administration, was named last month by Mr. Trump as his “envoy for special missions.”

One of Mr. Grenell’s posts about Mr. Khan, written two days after his appointment, garnered more than 12 million views. In another December message on X that he later deleted, Mr. Grenell equated Mr. Trump with Mr. Khan, another celebrity-turned-politician.

“Watch Pakistan,” he wrote. “Their Trump-like leader is in prison on phony charges, and the people have been inspired by the US Red Wave. Stop the political prosecutions around the world!”

Another fierce Trump loyalist, Matt Gaetz, the ex-congressman from Florida, echoed Mr. Grenell with a call on X: “Free Imran Khan!”

It is unclear why Mr. Grenell, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has taken up Mr. Khan’s cause.

But members of the Pakistani diaspora have undertaken a vigorous lobbying campaign in the United States as Mr. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or P.T.I., has been battered at home by arrests, crackdowns and censorship.

Mr. Khan — who was once backed by the powerful military but later lost its support — has been jailed since 2023 on a variety of charges. He says the charges are politically motivated. On Friday, a court sentenced him to another prison term, for corruption, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi.

To Mr. Khan’s followers, the proclamations of support from Mr. Trump’s camp have felt like lifelines. “At last, our message is breaking through,” said Atif Khan, a Houston-based official in Mr. Khan’s party.

Hope has spread like wildfire in teeming WhatsApp groups and in living rooms where Mr. Khan’s supporters gather. Each social media post from a Trump ally has been dissected, celebrated and shared as proof that change is imminent.

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Mr. Khan’s fervent followers draw parallels between him and Mr. Trump, casting them as outsiders besieged by entrenched elites. Both men have leaned heavily on social media to bypass traditional power structures.

At Raja Bazaar, a crowded marketplace in the city of Rawalpindi that often mirrors the national political mood, Mohammad Sarwar interrupted his search for bargains to voice a sentiment common among Mr. Khan’s followers.

“Trump will help free Imran Khan,” said Mr. Sarwar, 43, invoking the president-elect’s name as though it were an incantation.

Courting American intervention is a striking shift for P.T.I., which has long branded itself as critical of U.S. policies.

Mr. Khan, a former cricket superstar, accused the United States of orchestrating his ouster as prime minister in 2022. But his supporters now frame their struggle as one aligned with American values, saying they are fighting for democratic ideals and human rights.

In the past, Mr. Trump has spoken harshly of Pakistan. He accused its leaders of “lies and deceit” as he froze $1.3 billion in security aid in early 2018. His administration also spearheaded efforts that year to blacklist Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force, a global watchdog that combats terrorism and money laundering. Those moves are still sore points in Pakistan, officials say.

Mr. Khan became prime minister later in 2018. Mr. Trump invited him for a meeting at the White House in July 2019. The next January in Davos, Switzerland, he called Mr. Khan “a very good friend of mine.”

Officials in Pakistan’s governing coalition have dismissed P.T.I.’s expectations for the incoming Trump administration as fantasy.

“P.T.I.’s hopes are unrealistic,” said Khurram Dastgir-Khan, a former defense and foreign minister who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party. “The Trump administration, even if inclined to pressure Pakistan, would likely prioritize financial leverage, not the release or return of Khan to power.”

Pakistan’s military establishment, the invisible hand behind the country’s politics, has shown no signs of softening toward Mr. Khan.

Faisal Vawda, a senator with close links to the military, said he did not expect the Trump administration to make great efforts to aid Mr. Khan, noting that it had been several weeks since Mr. Grenell last called for his release.

“I don’t see any good news coming from the Trump administration for P.T.I.,” Mr. Vawda said. While P.T.I. has been working through lobbyists in the United States, he said, “similarly, the Pakistani establishment has done its own diplomacy, and this explains why the tweets have stopped.”

“I see Trump working with Pakistan, the army and the government,” Mr. Vawda said.

www.nytimes.com

In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s Followers Are Counting on Trump to Free Him

A Trump ally has called on Pakistan to release the former prime minister from prison, inspiring fervent hope among his supporters.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
No phone call yet comes from US: Mohsin Naqvi

“We received no call yet from the United States, we will see when the phone call comes,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi replied to a reporter in his media talk in Lahore.

“The PTI’s founder was expecting a call in his favour,” the scribe asked the interior minister who recently arrived from the US visit.

Commenting on the PTI’s protest call for February 08, Mohsin Naqvi said, “I will request the PTI like earlier, not to do so.” “If they didn’t accept it, the same will happen again what happened earlier,” he said.

Replying a question about his US visit, interior minister said that Pakistan has good relations with America. He said, he met several senators and Congressmen in the United States.

“Some people get visas to be issued here and later travel in boats to reach Europe,” replying a question about the people going to overseas, he said. “They cause disrepute to the country, those sending them are actually responsible for it,” he added.

arynews.tv

No phone call yet comes from US: Mohsin Naqvi

LAHORE: "We received no call yet from the United States, we will see when the phone call comes," Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi replied to a reporter in
arynews.tv arynews.tv
 
FearlessRoar said:
No phone call yet comes from US: Mohsin Naqvi

“We received no call yet from the United States, we will see when the phone call comes,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi replied to a reporter in his media talk in Lahore.

“The PTI’s founder was expecting a call in his favour,” the scribe asked the interior minister who recently arrived from the US visit.

Commenting on the PTI’s protest call for February 08, Mohsin Naqvi said, “I will request the PTI like earlier, not to do so.” “If they didn’t accept it, the same will happen again what happened earlier,” he said.

Replying a question about his US visit, interior minister said that Pakistan has good relations with America. He said, he met several senators and Congressmen in the United States.

“Some people get visas to be issued here and later travel in boats to reach Europe,” replying a question about the people going to overseas, he said. “They cause disrepute to the country, those sending them are actually responsible for it,” he added.

arynews.tv

No phone call yet comes from US: Mohsin Naqvi

LAHORE: "We received no call yet from the United States, we will see when the phone call comes," Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi replied to a reporter in
arynews.tv arynews.tv
Click to expand...
@IMMY69 Lol how much more humiliation do the PTI clowns want to bring upon themselves?
 
FearlessRoar said:
@IMMY69 Lol how much more humiliation do the PTI clowns want to bring upon themselves?
Click to expand...
Humiliation is when an uninvited clown ends up at an anti Chinese seminar. Humiliation is when you have to steal mandates with form 47s, Humiliation is when you destroy the constitution with only 50 seats, Humiliation is when haraamis have to kill their own citizens and then make their families sign affidavits to get their disappeared bodies released. Humiliation is when you leave a country bankrupt and then claim then your supporters have to use Chat GPT for answers. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
‘Pro-Imran’ US official selected for key post

A controversial former speechwriter for President Donald Trump has been tapped for an important diplomatic position in the new US administration.

Darren Beattie, a conservative scholar, announced that he has been selected as the acting Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy.

However, PTI supporters seem to have high hopes from the appointment as Mr Beattie has previously interviewed party founder Imran Khan, and made remarks in his favour in the past.

His appointment still requires Senate confirmation. Mr Beattie, who previously served as a speechwriter in Donald Trump’s first administration, confirmed his selection in a message to his readers at Revolver News, the right-wing media platform he founded.

“Revolver’s own Darren Beattie has landed a top role in the America First Trump administration,” Revolver News announced. “In plain terms, Darren will be shaping America’s messaging to counter terrorism and combat violent extremism.”

His new role will see him oversee the Department of State’s efforts in shaping the US message globally, particularly through embassies and consulates. Though previous holders of the position have largely maintained a low profile, it remains a key role in US diplomacy.

Mr Beattie, who was dismissed from his White House role in Trump’s first term after revelations about his connections to white nationalist groups, has remained an ardent Trump supporter.

He is also known for promoting controversial views on race and US foreign policy, including unsubstantiated claims about the January 6 Capitol attack. His social media activity, including a post in October 2024 where he wrote, “Competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work,” has sparked controversy.

‘Pro-Imran’ tilt

Mr Beattie’s appointment comes as Imran Khan’s supporters in Pakistan and the United States are vigorously trying to get him released. They also want Washington to endorse their claim that the previous election in Pakistan was rigged.

Mr Beattie has been outspoken about the similarities between Mr Khan and President Trump, drawing parallels between their political battles and the accusations against them.

In an interview with journalist Glenn Greenwald three months ago, Mr Beattie remarked that Mr Khan was ousted because the timing of his visit to Moscow coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although he did not know about the invasion.

He also claimed that Mr Khan’s ouster was politically motivated and that the US State Department had quietly approved his removal — a charge both Washington and Islamabad vehemently deny.

“Much like Trump,” Mr Beattie said, “Imran Khan was avalanched with politically motivated charges and imprisoned. His situation is deteriorating dramatically, and it’s very possible that he could even die in the coming months if something is not done.”

In a series of posts on social media, Mr Khan’s supporters welcomed Mr Beattie’s selection, hoping that it would lead to a shift in US diplomatic discourse towards Mr Khan’s case.

DAWN NEWS
 
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