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Trump's aide calls for Imran Khan's release, tweets tagging Geo News

News Desk

Dec 17

US President-elect Donald Trump's recent nominee for Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, tagged a Geo News Story on X (formerly Twitter) that referred to him as "homosexual" and called for the release of founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan.

 

On December 16, Richard Grenell posted a screenshot of a Geo News Urdu article with a headline translated in English as "Homosexual Richard Grenell appointed as Trump's envoy" with a caption: "I'll say it again, @geonews_urdu: Free Imran Khan."

 

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Expectedly, the post went viral, with most PTI supporters and leaders appreciating the US official for raising his voice in support of the former Prime Minister.

 

Former US congressman Matt Gaetz also reposted Grenell's post with the caption: "Free Imran Khan!"

 

Grenell previously served as ambassador to Germany during Trump's first administration, special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and acting director of national intelligence.

 

National Public Radio (NPR) reported Grenell for having a reputation of "sometimes employing a contentious approach to diplomacy that rankled allies and the foreign policy establishment in Washington."

 

Richard Grenell had previously voiced his support for Imran Khan on his official X page, and when he got nominated by Donald Trump, PTI supporters rejoiced on social media, congratulating him on his new title.

 

Social media did not hold back after Grenell's recent post with one user commenting: "Respected Sir Heartiest Congratulations on your new assignment. May you get succeed and achieve your goals & aims Ameen. Imran Khan is our Leader and he is in Adyalla Jail for the last 18 months in fake frivolous cases like @realDonaldTrump. Thank you so much for raising voice for IK [sic]."

 

While netizens speculate the reason why Richard's tweet was specifically aimed at Geo News, PTI leader Azhar Mashwani, who is in self-imposed exile, alleged, "@geonews_urdu is Pakistan's largest traditional news network, fully allied to the brutal regime in the country."

 

"Interestingly, many of these traditional media outlets in the country were recipients of substantial USAID media-buying funds between 2008 and 2014 under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act. Even more interesting is that the KLB Act was the brainchild of then-Senator Joe Biden, who became Vice President shortly before the bill was passed. For those that think Biden (and his admin) were agnostic on Pakistan, there is ample evidence of his clear political preferences in the country. Past 3 years is a testament to it [sic]," he added.

 

Another PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari reposted with the caption: "250 million people chant the same. Free Imran Khan!"

 

Former President Arif Alvi wrote: "A very positive statement. The same feelings are resonating throughout the world. #Free_Imran_Khan. @ImranKhanPTI has spent more than 500 days in jail on false, fabricated & fictitious charges starting with the ignominious regime change, destruction of civil liberties, mandate reversal, fascist torture & subversion of constitution & judiciary by the deep state in Pakistan."

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