PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has raised questions about the authenticity of US diplomat Donald Lu allegedly threatening Pakistan. The PML-N leader said the claims of the US threatening Pakistan was an “afterthought”.
He made the comments during a joint press conference with PPP, JUI-F, MQM-P, and BNP-M. A day earlier, the Opposition faced a defeat in the National Assembly over the no-confidence motion. Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry read out Article 5 of the Constitution and accused the Opposition of “disloyalty to the state”. As a result, the NA Deputy Speaker dismissed the no-confidence motion and adjourned the session for an indefinite time.
On the other hand, Shehbaz Sharif questioned why did not the government quote Article 5 earlier if the letter was indeed sent on 7th March. Furthermore, the PML-N President said if US diplomat David Lu communicated the threat on 7th March, then why was Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Asad Majeed Khan thanking him on 16th March at a farewell dinner.
Read more: Pakistan PM Khan lodge diplomatic protest on US interference
While talking about the letter, Shehbaz Sharif also quoted Ambassador Asad Majeed’s tweet thanking the US Diplomat, dated 16th March. According to Shehbaz Sharif, if the US had threatened Pakistan, then how is it possible to meet US officials in a friendly setting.
“This debate will haunt and confuse the nation,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
Amb Asad Khan letter is doctored. He hosted farewell dinner on 16 March & THANKED US Asst Sec Donald Lu for his “perspectives”. Strange that letter to Pak Foreign Office is dated 7 March & says US is conspiring regime change in Pakistan according to his chat with Mr Lu!! pic.twitter.com/bJdzAoLnDG
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 4, 2022
PM Khan names Donald Lu
PM Imran Khan’s claim of a Western power conspiring to dislodge him and his government by sending a threatening letter has caused quite the storm in Pakistan. During his 27th March power rally, PM Khan brandished the alleged letter and revealed the news for the first time.
According to the details, the letter very clearly stated that Pakistan will face problems if PM Khan survives the no-confidence motion. However, if the vote of no-confidence is successful, Pakistan’s problems internationally will resolve. Since then, the letter has become very controversial with many dismissing it as fake.
However, senior journalist, Nasim Zehra, stated that the USA threatened Pakistan as PM Imran Khan stays in power. She said that the US did call Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan to deliver an important message to the government of Pakistan.
Furthermore, recently PM Khan claimed that Donald Lu, the top American official dealing with South Asia in the US State Department, was involved in the ‘foreign conspiracy’ to topple his government. Additionally, PM Khan claimed that Donald Lu warned the Pakistani envoy to the US, Dr. Asad Majeed.
Read more: US responds to PM Khan’s speech
On the other hand, Donald Lu, during an interview with the Hindustan Times, denied responding to the allegations of PM Imran Khan.