Government rejects US pressure for Imran Khan’s release amid ongoing negotiations

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has firmly stated that the government will not bow to any external pressure, including from the United States, to release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Sanaullah emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and conducting bilateral negotiations without foreign interference.
When asked about potential pressure from the incoming US administration led by President-elect Donald Trump, Sanaullah dismissed the notion outright. He labeled recent calls for Imran Khan’s release, such as a tweet from Trump’s appointee Richard Grenell, as unacceptable interference in Pakistan’s internal matters. “We would not work under pressure from Donald Trump […] any intervention would be considered an infringement on our sovereignty,” he asserted.
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Grenell, who was recently appointed as “envoy for special missions,” had tweeted “Release Imran Khan,” fueling speculations of international involvement in the matter. Sanaullah clarified that the government’s ongoing talks with the opposition were initiated independently and not under any external influence.
The government and PTI negotiating committees recently held their first meeting in a bid to de-escalate political tensions. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who chaired the session, announced that the next round of discussions would take place on January 2. During this meeting, PTI is expected to present a comprehensive charter of demands.
Sanaullah highlighted the government’s willingness to engage in “conclusive and time-bound” talks with the PTI but ruled out agreeing to all demands. He stressed that dialogue must prioritize national interests and should not be rushed.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, who met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, conveyed the incarcerated leader’s satisfaction with the negotiation process. Imran Khan, imprisoned since August last year, urged the government to work within a specified timeframe to ensure tangible progress. He reiterated that discussions should remain focused on resolving key political issues and clarified that the civil disobedience movement was not part of the agenda during the meeting.
Addressing Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, Sanaullah acknowledged past fluctuations but reaffirmed Islamabad’s stance of not compromising on national interests. He reiterated that all political decisions and negotiations must remain free from external coercion.
Earlier Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, has also taken a defiant stance against U.S. involvement in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, outrightly rejecting any pressure from the United States regarding internal matters.
Asif, responding to international criticism and demands from U.S. officials concerning Imran Khan, declared that Pakistan would not tolerate interference that undermines its sovereignty. “We will not bow to any external pressure, including from the U.S., on matters that are purely related to Pakistan’s national interests,” Asif stated emphatically.
آپریشن گولڈ سمتھ کے ریکروٹ جہاں بھی موجود ھیں وہ عمران خان کی نجات کے لئے پاکستان کے مفادات کے خلا ف بھر پور مہم چلا رہے ھیں ۔ ان عناصر کو اسرائیل کی بھر پور حمایت حاصل ھے اور وہ میڈیا میں تواتر کے ساتھ گفتگو کر رہے ھیں۔ جس سے صاف ظاہر ھوتا ھے کہ عمران خان ایک اسرائیلی اثاثہ ھے…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 25, 2024

He further emphasized that the nation’s priorities lie in safeguarding its independence and protecting its status as the only Muslim nuclear power, regardless of international demands or criticism.
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