On 27th March 2021, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, in a rally, former Prime Minster of Pakistan, Imran Khan openly announced meddling of “ foreign elements” in Pakistani political crisis. He waved the letter at the massive crowd gathered in Islamabad. He termed the letter as “threatening”, sent by US and is seeking his removal as the PM.
This statement came when Imran Khan was about to face a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. He was expected to lose this motion as many of his allied parties have joined the coalition of Opposition Parties. Opposition parties that had formed a coalition consisting of thirteen plus parties are called as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). The opposition was not quiet about their discontent with the government’s performance in economic and political arenas. They said that Khan has failed to revive the country’s economy that was damaged by COVID-19.
An operation of regime change funded by external powers was underway, he said. The opposition lawmakers have the backing of US government. He claimed the letter to contain the evidence of an international conspiracy to remove his government.
He stated that the memo said “if the no-confidence motion passes, Pakistan will be forgiven, if not, there will be consequences.” The letter was given through Pakistan’s Ambassador and was specifically against Imran Khan and his role as a premier.
The letter was sent by the then ambassador to US – Asad Majeed. This was on the basis of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu. Asad Majeed has now been replaced by Ambassador Masood Khan. The cable was sent a day before the opposition submitted the no-confidence motion, on March 7. A diplomatic cable from the Pakistani ambassador was cited as a proof in which it was said that an American official warned there would be “consequences” if the PTI Chairman remained Prime Minister after his recent visit to Russia. Imran Khan went to Moscow in late February. The visit took place on 24th February, the same day Russia invaded Ukraine.
The opposition responded by considering such a letter as fake and a ploy to avoid the vote of no-confidence.
US categorically denied sending such ‘threat letter.’ The US department emphasized that no government agency or any official had sent a letter to Pakistan on the current political situation. A State Department spokesperson said, “According to some diplomatic sources in Washington, the letter could be a diplomatic cable from Washington, drafted by a senior Pakistani diplomat.” Later in another statement, amidst the political turmoil it further said that “USA supports the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles”
The vote of no-confidence was to take place on 2nd April 2022, but Parliament’s deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, blocked the vote in a surprising move. He said that the vote reflected “foreign interference” and went against the constitution, quoting Article 5 that asked for loyalty to the state. Soon after, the PM dissolved the parliament and called for quick elections. However, the opposition responded furiously and considered this move as “unconstitutional” and treason. A petition by PDM was submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice. The Court ruled that the Deputy Speaker’s ruling was in contradiction “to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect, and the same are hereby set aside”. The ruling was erroneous. The same was ruled for Presidential decision of dissolving the National Assembly. The Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet’s position was restored.
According to the court’s ruling the session was to be conducted on 9th April. It was prolonged with the speaker adjourning the session three times and stretched out speeches by PTI officials. Though the political situation on Saturday was extremely dramatic with rapid and usuals steps being taken. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker resigned just a few hours before the clock struck 12. Finally, the vote of no-confidence took place on 10th April and Imran Khan became the first Pakistani Prime Minister to be ousted through such a motion. Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd Prime Minster after a vote the next day. It was followed by PTI members resigning en masse.
Moreover, Russia and China entered the political crisis. On 6th April, Russia lent support to Imran Khan by accusing USA of committing “another attempt of seamless interference” in domestic matters of Pakistan. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this was done to “punish” Imran Khan. China also got involved in the situation by warning US against ‘interference in Pakistan’s internal matters.
US-Pakistan relations had started to slightly strain with Pakistan’s partnership with China strengthening more with time. They were also affected by more American focus on India to counter China in the region. China’s rapid rise has been perceived as a threat to USA’s position as a unilateral world leader.
Many doubt the presence of such a letter and consider it a plot penned down by Imran Khan to remain in power. However, other than Khan’s visit to Moscow, other factors have also added to America’s discomfort with Imran khan.
The visit was publicly condemned by the Biden administration. In addition, the US diplomats in Pakistan prompted the government to issue statements about Pakistan condemning the Russian invasion. They also asked for supporting resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on Russia ceasing the conflict. Pakistan abstained and voiced demands for dialogue and diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Independent foreign policy under Imran Khan’s government had also been a problem for America. Though no major changes were made to the foreign policy, former PM’s vocal stature had also caused problems. His stance on Palestine, Kashmir and Islamophobia on global platforms foreign policy with China, Russia and Afghanistan and his reluctance of normalizing relations with Israel have stirred unease from some countries. Also, Khan’s leadership in the Muslim World becoming more popular.
History records that Pakistani soil has been used by America multiple times for furthering their own interests. From Cold War to War on Terror, we have always been ready to provide assistance to US. Recently, Pakistan’s active role US-Taliban Peace deal and in the evacuation process as well.
The fact cannot be denied that America always, especially after its victory as unilateral leader in Cold War, has heavily influenced Pakistani politics. Many times, it has intervened directly and indirectly as well.
It is worth noting that Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has also claimed that an American conspiracy to remove him from power. Due to his refusal of giving up Pakistan’s nuclear program. He told US had “threatened” to make an example. Afterwards, in a mysterious plane crash General Zia died for which US is blamed by many Pakistanis. This was due to Zia becoming a liability for Washington in 1989 after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the mid-2000s, Richard Boucher, the former assistant secretary for State for South and Central Asian Affairs repeatedly met Benazir Bhutto when she was focusing on returning to politics and was seeking reconciliation with General Musharraf. In 2008, Pervaiz Musharraf’s ouster was achieved by Bush administration more openly through his naive collaboration. The incident took place because of USA’s relation that General could no longer mobilize public support for the American “War on Terror.”
America has always interfered and participated in other countries’ domestic affairs. It has a long history of meddling in the political affairs of other countries. Such a history spans over at least a century and since the end of Second World War, it extends into all regions of the world. It is characterized by subversion and overthrow of foreign regimes.
So, such an act shouldn’t be a surprise. It has done such things numerous times. Regime change in Iraq, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya are prime examples of such operations. From Latin America to Middle East, America’s history has been fraught with such strategic interventions. Recently, President Biden himself declared to remove Russian President Putin. Though it was retracted by his team.
With such a long track record, the foreign conspiracy orchestrated by US to remove Imran Khan seems plausible. In addition, the strained pattern of Pak-US relations with numerous points of contention, give strength to regime change operation. Though, Imran Khan’s move to publicly announce the US move will have serious ramifications for him in the future.
Nowadays, after his removal as a PM, Imran Khan is enjoying the massive support of common people in Pakistan and even abroad. Huge number of protests were conducted all over the country for him. His party demands immediate elections. It will be a difficult journey for Imran Khan and his party members under the government of opposition with PML-N Shehbaz Sharif leading it.
