A leaked Pakistani diplomatic cypher alleges that the U.S. government helped orchestrate the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan [1].
The document intensifies a long-running political debate regarding foreign interference in Pakistan's domestic governance. It suggests that the U.S. State Department viewed Khan as a liability due to his refusal to align with strategic interests, particularly regarding his visit to Moscow and his stance on the conflict in Ukraine [2].
According to the reports, the communication took place between the U.S. State Department and Pakistan's ambassador in Washington [2]. The cable indicates that senior officials, including Donald Lu, were involved in the diplomatic pressure campaign. The alleged plot culminated in April 2022 [1], when Khan was removed from power [1].
Khan said his ouster was the result of a foreign-backed conspiracy. The 2024 leak of this cypher provides a new layer of evidence for those claims, though the U.S. government has historically denied such interference.
The political fallout has extended into the judiciary. Khan was later sentenced to a 10-year prison term [3] for leaking state secrets. This legal action highlights the severe consequences the Pakistani state has imposed on those accused of compromising diplomatic communications.
The tension between the U.S. and Khan's administration grew as Pakistan sought a more neutral foreign policy. This shift reportedly clashed with Washington's expectations for its allies in the region, leading to the alleged push for a change in leadership [2].
“A leaked Pakistani diplomatic cypher alleges that the U.S. government helped orchestrate the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan”
The emergence of this diplomatic cable validates the narrative of foreign intervention often cited by populist leaders in Pakistan. If the allegations are accurate, it suggests a willingness by the U.S. to prioritize strategic alignment over the stability of a sovereign government's leadership. The subsequent 10-year sentence for Khan further underscores the high stakes of diplomatic secrecy and the deep rift between the former Prime Minister and the current Pakistani establishment.
