Former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has once again tweeted in favor of PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The tweets are going viral and both PML-N and PTI have reacted to them.
The former US diplomat said there are indications that Pakistan’s parliament might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.
Pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s Foreign Office had earlier warned Zalmay Khalilzad not to comment on Pakistan’s domestic issues. However, the the former US envoy doubled down on his commentary on current political situation in Pakistan.
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Reacting to Zalmay Khalilzad’s tweets, PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry said the concern over Pakistan’s current situation is increasing.
“Zalmay Khalilzad, Senator Jacky Rosen, Mike Lowen in Congress and now the report on human rights of the US State Department are showing serious concern about the arrests and violence in Pakistan. Pakistan is diplomatically isolated as friends like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are keeping their distance,” Fawad Chaudhry said.
پاکستان کی صورتحال پرتشویش بڑہ رہی ہے زلمے خلیل زاد،سینیٹر جیکی روزن، کانگریس میں مائیک لوون اور اب امریکی محکمہ خارجہ کی انسانی حقوق پر رپورٹ پاکستان میں گرفتاریوں اورتشدد پر شدید تشویش ظاہرکر رہی ہے، پاکستان سفارتی طور پر تنہا ہے سعودی عرب اور امارات جیسے دوست ملک فاصلے پر ہیں https://t.co/BCZg2nGgVp
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 22, 2023
The PML-N camp also reacted to Zalmay Khalilzad’s tweets. PML-N leader and former Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair hit back, saying that Pakistan does not need advice from “the likes of Zalmay Khalilzad”.
“Pakistani government fully understands what is best for Pakistan and we do not need any advice from the likes of Zalmay Khalilzad who messed big time in Afghanistan – the implications of which we continue to suffer,” Mohammad Zubair said.
Pakistani govt fully understands what is best for Pakistan & we don’t need any advice from the likes of Zalmay Khalilzad who messed big time in Afghanistan- the implications of which we continue to suffer. @realZalmayMK https://t.co/pf09xTobp0
— Mohammad Zubair (@Real_MZubair) March 21, 2023
Zalmay Khalilzad’s tweets were followed by a tweet from PML-N’s official Twitter account as well which said:” Thankyou for telling Pakistan who the real ‘imported’ puppet is. Your stooge stands exposed!”
Thank you for telling Pakistan who the real "Imported" puppet is. Your stooge stands exposed! #BringItOn https://t.co/VrqWG1at4b
— PMLN (@pmln_org) March 21, 2023
Zalmay Khalilzad’s dire warnings to Pakistan
In a series of tweets, Zalmay Khalilzad hinted that there are indications that Pakistan’s parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.
He continued saying the government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as enemy no 1 of the state, and such steps will only deepen Pakistan’s triple crises: political, economic, and security.
There are indications that Pakistan's parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.
[Thread]— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 21, 2023
he further maintained that many countries have already suspended planned investments in South Asian nation while IMF support remains doubtful. He said if such steps take place, international support for Pakistan will decline further, and political polarization and violence will increase.
Read more: US report calls attention to human rights violations in Pakistan
He urged political leaders to rise above destructive petty politics that undermine the national interest and further pinned hope that the Supreme Court will not be used in games that undermine Pakistan’s interests.