US Congressman Brad Sherman and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad have dispelled the notion that they are lobbying for former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Speaking to VOA Urdu this weekend, US Congressman Brad Sherman clarified that his letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shouldn’t be seen as endorsing PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
The letter was about concerns over “democracy, human rights, and rule of law” violations in Pakistan. He further said that he was the one who criticized Imran Khan for accusing the United States of overthrowing the government.
Read more: US Congressman raises voice for Pakistan in letter to Antony Blinken
Brad Sherman’s comments come in the wake of a letter he sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to use all diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and hold those responsible accountable.
امریکی کانگریس کے رکن بریڈ شیرمین نے کہا کہ حال ہی میں پاکستان میں انسانی حقوق اور جمہوری آزادیوں سے متعلق امریکی وزیر خارجہ کو لکھے جانے والے ان کے خط کا یہ مطالب نہیں ہے کہ وہ عمران خان کی حمایت کرتے ہیں۔#VOAUrdu #ImranKhan @BradShermanhttps://t.co/QCdPTZHQbd
— VOA Urdu (@voaurdu) April 15, 2023
Similarly, US special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad also recently released several tweets condemning alleged human rights violations in Pakistan and calling for fresh elections. However, he rejected the impression that he was lobbying for Imran Khan.
Read more: PTI & PML-N react to Zalmay Khalilzad’s tweets on Imran Khan
Earlier this week, former president Asif Zardari told a Pakistani TV channel that Zalmay Khalilzad was doing so because “someone might have acquired his services” and that’s why he was supporting Imran Khan. The allegations did not sit well with Zalmay Khalilzad who took to Twitter to hit back at Asif Zardari.
“I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one’s agent,” he wrote.
Responding to Pakistan's "Mr. 10 Percent": I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one's agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan's triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. "Mr. Ten Percent" should put…
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) April 15, 2023
Pakistan’s political developments have sparked international concern. Several US political figures have condemned human rights violations in Pakistan. Among the condemnations, notable figures like Brad Sherman and Zalmay Khalilzad have been very vocal about their commentary on Pakistani politics, which often mirrors the narrative of PTI.
Furthermore, on several occasions, they tweeted in favor of Imran Khan, or in Congressman Brad Sherman’s case, held a telephonic conversation with the former prime minister. Such statements and moves triggered accusations that they are among the lawmakers and influential persons who are now speaking in favor of PTI after the party engaged another lobbying firm to project its goals overseas.