A leaked diplomatic cable has reignited debate over former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s claims that foreign pressure, particularly from the United States, played a role in his removal from office in 2022.
The document, published by investigative outlet Drop Site, is the classified cypher that Khan had repeatedly cited as evidence of an alleged foreign-backed effort to topple his government. Identified as cable I-0678, it reportedly summarises a meeting between Pakistan’s then-ambassador in Washington and senior US State Department official Donald Lu shortly before Khan lost a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Khan had long argued that Washington opposed his independent foreign policy stance and sought his removal because of his refusal to fully align against Russia and China. The United States has consistently denied those allegations, saying there was no evidence of any conspiracy or interference.
The former prime minister also accused rival parties — the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party — of colluding with foreign powers to remove him. Both parties rejected the accusations and maintained that Khan’s ouster was constitutional and driven by domestic political failures.
Khan became the first Pakistani prime minister to be removed through a no-confidence motion. He was later convicted in a corruption case and has remained in jail since.
The newly surfaced cable is now being cited by Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, as the strongest public indication yet that foreign pressure may have influenced political developments in Pakistan.
According to the report, Donald Lu suggested ties between Islamabad and Washington could improve if Khan were removed through the parliamentary process. The cable also reportedly warned that Pakistan risked “isolation” from the United States and Europe if Khan survived the vote.
Supporters of Khan have particularly focused on the phrase “all will be forgiven,” allegedly used during the conversation, interpreting it as a signal that his removal and subsequent jailing would pave the way for warmer US-Pakistan ties.
Pakistan’s relations with Washington had become strained during Khan’s tenure. Under US President Donald Trump, military aid to Pakistan was cut over concerns about terrorism. Relations reportedly deteriorated further during the administration of Joe Biden, according to the report.
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