News Desk
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed a call by Richard Grenell, a representative appointed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Asif stated that the government does not believe such statements are productive.
Grenell’s Statements on Social Media
According to Arab News, on November 26, Richard Grenell took to X (formerly Twitter) to advocate for Imran Khan’s release, citing ongoing protests in the capital by Khan’s supporters. He wrote, “Imran Khan should be freed as his party protests for his release in the capital.”
In another post on Tuesday morning, Grenell compared Imran Khan to Trump, stating, “Look at Pakistan. Their Trump-like leader is in jail under false charges. Political cases must end worldwide.”
Khawaja Asif’s Response
In an interview with Independent Urdu, Khawaja Asif was asked if Grenell’s appointment would lead to U.S. pressure on Pakistan for Khan’s release. The minister responded, “I don’t think there’s any pressure.”
He added, “In American politics, individuals and parties express varied views. However, tweets or statements cannot define or dictate government-to-government relations. I do not believe Grenell’s tweets will have any significant impact at any level.”
Background on Imran Khan’s Detention
Imran Khan, ousted from office in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote, has been in prison since August 2023. He alleges that the government, with the backing of the powerful military, is attempting to sideline him from politics—a claim both the government and military deny.
Despite his detention, Khan remains a popular figure in Pakistan, with thousands attending rallies organized by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His campaign against the military and current coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has intensified political polarization in the country.
