Donald Trump’s election as president to facilitate Imran Khan’s release?

United States (US) Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller has reacted to widespread claims regarding the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan if Donald Trump is elected as the country’s president.

Responding to a journalist’s question during a press briefing, Miller reiterated the State Department’s stance regarding ongoing legal proceedings against the former Pakistani prime minister. “As we have said many times, legal proceedings against the former prime minister are a matter for the Pakistani courts to decide,” he said, adding that the claims were baseless.

When asked about the alleged involvement of the US in the ouster of Khan’s government in 2022, Miller said, “The allegations that the US played any role in his removal from office are false.”

The State Department spokesperson also reacted to the social media campaign against members of the US Congress for writing a letter to President Joe Biden, seeking release of the incarcerated former premier of Pakistan.

“I can tell you, we don’t know who is behind it, but if people have issues that they want engage with regarding US officials, whether they be executive branch officials or officials from the US Congress, they should engage on the merits of those issues and not by talking about people’s religion or sexual orientation.”

“We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Khan, and curtail widespread human rights abuses,” US lawmakers had stated in the letter to Biden earlier this month.

The letter had come as the PTI continues to lobby within and without the country for Imran Khan’s release.

‘Imran Khan to be released soon’

Meanwhile, PTI leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur has expressed confidence that the PTI founder will soon be released from jail.

“Neither we believe in deals nor will we opt for any. We derive our confidence from the fact that all cases against PTI founder Imran Khan are fake and politically motivated. Except for a couple, almost all big cases against Khan have been overturned by courts,” Gandapur said while talking to media on Wednesday.

Dispelling the impression that the PTI was against any person or institution, the KP CM said the party was “only against policies and wanted them fixed”.

CM Gandapur also said that PTI’s struggle for its rights was not only peaceful but also within the parameters of law and the Constitution. “What we want is a thorough and transparent probe into the February 8 elections and May 9 incidents,” he said, adding that such an investigation was essential for strong and sustainable democracy.