Whether a foreign power has written a threatening letter to Imran khan or not, no one is asking how the Pakistani state responded to such a letter and who could be behind such a move that could have costly consequences for everyone involved.
Everyone is indirectly pointing the finger at the United States. However, things might not be quite simple as they appear. Indeed, Imran khan has not gotten on with the Biden administration despite an outreach to this American administration. Imran even directly tweeted to President Biden, initially congratulating them and showing a desire to work with him to root out corruption.
Read more: Imran Khan works only four hours a day: Maryam Nawaz
Nevertheless, no concrete favorable response was received
Pakistan’s national security advisor met with his counterpart, and despite the posturing of a broad-based relationship with the US, it did not bear any fruit.
This argument that the US administration’s rising frustration with an Oxford-educated, international sports start turned politician has reached such levels that they want to kick him out is incomplete. It might be truthful at some levels but does not tell the entire story. Indeed Imran Khan has consistently criticized the US, which would have irritated some in DC; it might not be enough to kick him out.
One must analyze which country is most upset with Imran khan in power. Alternatively, which country has been affected most by Imran khan’s rhetoric or policies.
The United States is a super-power with exceptional military and economic might, never seen before in human history, and Imran khan’s ability to damage US strategic interests is limited.
However, another country has been affected by Imran khan’s rise
When Imran khan took over, this state and its security establishment were almost sure that they were nearing complete isolation of Pakistan on the international front. This isolation’s objective was that Pakistan would bend the knee and start living on Indian terms in the region.
Pakistan’s military was under pressure due to internal and external actors. The famous “Dawn Leaks” in 2016 reported that Pakistan’s military released terrorists arrested, and there was a disagreement on the crackdown on terror groups between the civilians and the military leadership. Dawn leaks led to Nawaz Sharif’s ouster, and the rest is history. As the PML-N’s tenure ended, Imran khan became prime minister of Pakistan.
When Imran khan took over the reins of power in 2018, he famously tweeted.
Read more: Malaysian opposition leader praises PM Imran Khan for defending Muslims
“Disappointed at the arrogant & negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture.” Imran Khan Sep 22, 2018″
In 1849, French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Imran Khan might have failed on many domestic fronts, from poor governance to economic mismanagement, and failed to make the corrupt accountable.
However, Imran Khan did not fail in foreign policy
During Imran khan’s tenure, Pakistan’s relationship with Turkey and Russia blossomed. After the Fall of Kabul, Pakistan undertook a major diplomatic initiative and became a member of the Troika Plus group. Imran khan also led an international campaign on Islamophobia, resulting in a UNGA resolution and Justin Trudeau and Putin agreeing to his narrative of Islamophobia and hate speech. In addition, Islamabad hosted the OIC conference, and his charismatic persona gave new life to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Operation swift retort in February 2019 also embarrassed India on a global stage, and the optics of “tea Is fantastic” was painful for the Indian security establishment. Delhi watched Imran Khan’s Russia trip with great interest.
Later on, Imran khan also embarked on an attack on Narendra Modi and equated Modi and RSS to Nazis. Imran Khan tweeted as below.
Read more: Netizens unhappy with young depiction of Imran Khan in ’83’ movie
“The curfew, crackdown & impending genocide of Kashmiris in IOK is unfolding exactly acc to RSS ideology inspired by Nazi ideology. An attempt is to change the demography of Kashmir through ethnic cleansing. The question is: Will the world watch & appease as they did Hitler at Munich?”
“I am afraid this RSS ideology of Hindu Supremacy, like the Nazi Aryan Supremacy, will not stop in IOK; instead it will lead to suppression of Muslims in India & eventually lead to targeting of Pakistan. The Hindu Supremacists version of Hitler’s Lebensraum.”
Imran Khan Aug 11, 2019, ·
After Imran khan’s successful foreign policy, Pakistan’s isolation became a distant aspiration rather than a reality.
Imran khan dismantled the Indian security establishment’s decade-long policy
Therefore it would be in their strategic interest to remove him from office.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s public discourse lacks any analytical ability, and western bashing is currently taking place in most debates. Although this letter might have come from a western power if such a letter truly existed, exploration of the possibility of Indian designs on this move can not be ignored.
Pakistan needs to find an answer to its India question.
Read more: ‘Stand against evil’: PM Imran Khan gives important message to people
So, if anyone wants Imran khan out, It must be the Indian security establishment. Therefore, it would be in the Indian national interest to remove Imran khan, and who can blame them. The question is whether decision-makers in Islamabad have correctly analyzed this move and calculated its effects on Pakistan’s national security parameters.
The jury is still out!
The author is a Physician residing in the United States and a Faculty member at Brown University in Rhode Island. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.