US official Khan named behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ key person in IMF deals last year

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu as the United States (US) representative who had the a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador in the US, which led to the ‘threatening’ diplomatic cable.

Khan said that the US had sent a threatening message through Pakistan’s Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan. He was quoted as saying that Donald Lu had reportedly in a meeting with Majeed warned that there could be implications if he survived the Opposition’s no-confidence motion tabled against him in the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to Parliamentarians. pic.twitter.com/zqkONDD9Pj

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 3, 2022

We are following developments in Pakistan and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law: Lu

Indian newspaper, The Hindustan Times, interviewed Lu in Washington this Friday and asked him about reports that he was the US official to warn the Pakistani ambassador of the consequences if Imran Khan stays in power.

Hindustan Times: “Let me move to the rest of the region and start with Pakistan. Imran Khan seems to suggest that you had a conversation with the Pakistani ambassador in the US and told him that if Imran Khan survives the no-confidence motion, Pakistan is in trouble and the US won’t forgive Pakistan. Any response?”

Donald Lu said, “We are following developments in Pakistan and we respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law.”

The assistant secretary was asked, “Did you have such a conversation?” Lu replied, “That’s all I have for you on that question.”

Who is Donald Lu?

Donald Lu became Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on September 15, 2021. Prior to this assignment, Assistant Secretary Lu served as the US Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic from 2018 to 2021.

Lu is a Foreign Service Officer with more than 30 years of US government service.

Samaa News reported, “Donald Lu’s last major interaction with a Pakistani official came in October 2021 when a Pakistani finance ministry delegation was holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington.”

On October 15, Shaukat Tarin and Donald Lu held talks at the Pakistan embassy in Washington and the finance minister assured the US official that the PTI government would live up to its promise of economic reforms.

Pakistan embassy also issued a statement on the meeting between Donald Lu and Shaukat Tarin.

Ten days after the March 7 meeting, the date on which the government alleges to have received the threatening communique, Lu attended an event organised by the Pakistan Embassy on March 16 to recognise and appreciate prominent women who are leading in their respective fields.

Thank you Asst Secy Don Lu @State_SCA & Congresswoman @JacksonLeeTX18 for your perspectives this evening @PakinUSA. Also, thank u to the amazing women leaders who joined us in recognizing achievements, contributions & progress that our women have made in their respective fields. pic.twitter.com/zBDZSHHAC2

— Asad M. Khan (@asadmk17) March 16, 2022

He addressed the event along with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. In his tweet, Ambassador Majeed thanked Lu and Lee for sharing their perspectives.