Haqqani: Expecting Trump to Support Imran Khan is “Misguided”
Former Pakistani Diplomat Highlights Trump’s Self-Focused Approach
Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal): Former Pakistani diplomat Husain Haqqani has commented that any expectation of former US President Donald Trump acting in support of PTI founder Imran Khan is “fundamentally flawed” since Trump’s focus has always been on self-interest.
Haqqani pointed out that while Trump refers to many leaders as his “friends,” including North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, this does not imply U.S. policy support for them.
Haqqani emphasized that, if the U.S. currently has minimal interest in Pakistan, there’s little reason for Trump to involve himself in its political landscape. The former ambassador also spoke on the tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. elections, noting that Trump has managed to give many white Americans the feeling that their influence is threatened, contributing to a strong divide in the country.
In response to a question, Haqqani said Trump’s close relationship with Netanyahu suggests he would not pressure Israel over Gaza, whereas Harris might balance support for Israel with some pressure on Netanyahu, aligning more with Israel’s liberal factions.
Haqqani noted that Trump’s stance on Ukraine leans pro-Russia, quoting his statement “Ukraine is not our problem,” implying Trump would cut back U.S. support for Ukraine.
He also described Trump as being less engaged in foreign policy, instead preferring to pressure other nations with minimal direct military involvement, suggesting Trump’s agenda is focused on domestic issues.
Harris, however, aligns with the more traditional U.S. foreign policy stance that has held since Eisenhower’s time.
Haqqani concluded that, ultimately, U.S. policies on Russia and China would likely remain consistent under either Trump or Harris.
On the influence of the Muslim vote, Haqqani said it doesn’t carry enough weight to change election outcomes in the U.S. Similarly, the Pakistani-American voter base is limited, and many Pakistani-Americans make political choices based on their home country’s issues. He noted that “some Pakistanis perceive Trump’s potential support for Imran Khan as a reason to back him.”
Historically, many Pakistanis have favored the Democratic Party for its immigrant rights stance. Haqqani also mentioned that Trump’s immigration stance would restrict opportunities for those looking to bring family members to the U.S., limiting pathways for parents, children, or relatives.
Follow us on our social media platforms here: Twitter WHATSAPP CHANNEL FACEBOOK PAGE