In a fiery statement, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah dismissed any possibility of Pakistan bowing to pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle to release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Responding to a tweet by Richard Grenell, Trump’s recently appointed “envoy for special missions,” demanding Khan’s release, Sanaullah firmly stated, “We would not work under pressure of Donald Trump […] if any intervention is made, then we would consider it interference in our sovereignty.”
Grenell’s direct call for the release of Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August, set off a political firestorm in Pakistan. Sanaullah, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, reiterated that any negotiations with the opposition would remain strictly a bilateral matter between the government and PTI, rejecting external influences outright.
This statement comes as Pakistan navigates a period of heightened political polarization and international scrutiny. While Sanaullah emphasized the importance of maintaining sovereignty, his remarks underscored the government’s resistance to any perceived U.S. meddling, particularly from Trump’s camp.
Biden Administration’s Silence
The PTI has actively sought to shed light on the ongoing state of political repression in the country. Senior PTI leaders in the U.S., including Atif Khan, met with Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, to highlight human rights violations in Pakistan, including the imprisonment of Imran Khan and other PTI leaders.
In these meetings, Lara Trump expressed her support for PTI’s cause and instructed her staff to maintain engagement with the party’s representatives. Encouraged by this interaction, PTI supporters in the U.S. initiated another congressional letter, urging the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners.
The Biden administration, on the other hand, has remained largely silent on the escalating political turmoil in Pakistan. Critics argue that this silence amounts to tacit approval of the current government’s heavy-handed tactics, including widespread crackdowns on dissent, suppression of free speech, and politically motivated detentions.
Foreign Influence on Domestic Politics
The question of whether Trump’s involvement in the PTI leader’s case constitutes interference or support for democracy has divided public opinion in Pakistan. While PTI supporters view Trump’s statements as a much-needed critique of human rights abuses under the current government, the ruling PML-N dismisses them as attempts to destabilize Pakistan.
Prominent figures in Washington, including Zalmay Khalilzad, a senior U.S. diplomat, have also weighed in. Khalilzad described Khan’s detention as “unjustified” and urged Pakistani authorities to reconsider their approach. His comments, alongside Grenell’s tweet, have raised concerns in Islamabad, with PML-N leaders accusing the PTI of lobbying for foreign intervention.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif voiced skepticism, stating, “We don’t think Trump will call for the PTI founder’s release. Let’s wait for 15 to 20 days and see what stand he takes.” Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal went further, mocking PTI’s expectations from Trump as “a joke.”
However, PTI’s international outreach highlights the party’s strategic pivot toward mobilizing global opinion against what it describes as the “Biden administration’s silence on severe human rights abuses in Pakistan.” PTI leaders argue that Trump’s administration, with its outspoken advocacy for human rights and democracy, could pressure Pakistan to hold an independent inquiry into the February 8th elections and address the political persecution of PTI members.
Accountability
The debate over foreign influence in Pakistan’s domestic politics remains deeply contentious. For the PML-N government, Trump’s calls for Imran Khan’s release are framed as interference in Pakistan’s sovereignty. For PTI and its supporters, these calls represent a lifeline amid what they perceive as an escalating campaign of political repression.
As Pakistan grapples with political instability and economic challenges, the international dimension of its crisis adds a layer of complexity. Whether Trump’s influence will sway the course of events or further polarize Pakistan’s political landscape remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the global spotlight on Imran Khan’s detention has reignited questions about democracy, human rights, and the balance between sovereignty and accountability in Pakistan.