ISLAMABAD: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has again thrown his weight behind former prime minister Imran Khan, who has locked horns with his detractors since ousted from power last year.
Despite being told by Pakistan’s Foreign Office not to meddle in the country’s domestic issues, Zalmay Khalilzad again shared a series of tweets in support of Khan who has been facing the toughest political challenges.
Khalilzad said that the current Pakistani government seems to have declared the former prime minister as the enemy number one of the state.
In a series of tweets, he said that such measures will deepen Pakistan’s political, economic and security crisis as already some countries have suspended investment in Pakistan.
The government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as Enemy No 1 of the State. Such steps will only deepen Pakistan's triple crises: political, economic, and security. Already, some countries have suspended planned investments.
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 21, 2023
Khalilzad said that already some countries have suspended investment in Pakistan and in such a situation, the International Monetary Fund’s support for Pakistan was also doubtful.
“I am increasingly concerned about Pakistan, but I hope that Pakistani political leaders will rise above the destructive petty politics that undermine the national interest. If not, I hope the Supreme Court says no to being used in games that undermine the nation’s interests. I am becoming increasingly concerned about Pakistan.”
The IMF support remains doubtful. If the steps mentioned take place, international support for #Pakistan will decline further. Political polarization and violence will likely increase.
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 21, 2023
He said there were indications that Pakistan’s parliament, which is controlled by the ruling coalition, may ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from contesting the elections and even prohibit the PTI in the next few days.
He said that “if these steps are taken, international support for Pakistan will further decrease and political polarisation and violence are likely to increase in Pakistan.”
The IMF support remains doubtful. If the steps mentioned take place, international support for #Pakistan will decline further. Political polarization and violence will likely increase.
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 21, 2023
