A leaked diplomatic cable suggests the Biden administration pushed for the removal of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022, signaling that ties with Washington would improve only if his government fell. The document highlights a direct ultimatum delivered by U.S. diplomat Donald Lu regarding Khan’s neutral stance on the Ukraine war.
The March 7, 2022, communication, published by The Intercept, captures a meeting between Donald Lu and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States. Lu reportedly linked the future of bilateral relations to the success of a no-confidence vote against Khan, noting that if the effort succeeded, "all will be forgiven" in Washington. The diplomat allegedly underscored that this directive carried the express approval of the White House.
Khan was ousted one month later in a parliamentary vote widely seen as having the support of Pakistan’s military. Since his removal, the former prime minister has faced a series of legal battles, including a three-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office, which he is currently appealing. The State Department has denied having a preference for Pakistan’s leadership, with spokesperson Matthew Miller suggesting that any reported comments by Lu were likely taken out of context.
Military Consolidation and Civil Unrest
Beyond the diplomatic fallout, the document’s emergence coincides with an intensified crackdown by Pakistan’s military establishment on civil society. Recent legislation now grants authorities the power to conduct warrantless searches and impose harsh penalties on whistleblowers. Analysts argue that these measures are designed to cement military control over political affairs and suppress public dissent. Critics like Sunjeev Bery of Freedom Forward contend that this episode follows a long history of U.S. interference in Pakistani democracy, arguing that the Biden administration’s approach risks further destabilizing the country.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!