Trump’s Victory Won’t Affect Pakistan-US Relations,FO
PTI Sees Trump Victory as Chance for Ex-PM's Release
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Rules Out Imran Khan’s Handover to US,
Islamabad(Pakistan’s Foreign Office has reaffirmed its commitment to fortifying ties with the United States following Donald Trump’s election victory. The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan extended warm congratulations, acknowledging the enduring relationship between the two nations that spans decades ¹. A Foreign Office spokesperson expressed optimism for enhanced cooperation, emphasizing that the change in U.S. leadership will not disrupt bilateral relations.
The spokesperson highlighted the significant milestones achieved in 2022, marking 75 years of Pakistan-U.S. relations, including high-level engagements between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Secretary of State Antony Blinken ¹. These interactions demonstrated a shared desire to strengthen bilateral ties, with discussions focusing on climate change, trade, investment, regional peace, and security matters.
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has pinned its hopes on the new US administration for the release of the party’s founder and incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan.
In a recent interview, PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari has announced his plans to bring the issue of alleged mistreatment of Khan before the Trump government.
Bukhari, who is Khan’s adviser on international affairs, claimed that he was in contact with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
But the former prime minister does not believe that the new US administration would seek his release or play any role in this regard. “I hope that Trump will at least be neutral and will not be like Joe Biden. The matter of my release will be resolved within Pakistan, not through the United States,” he told reporters earlier in the day at the Adiala Jail.
Bukhari added that he would personally travel to Washington to meet with Trump’s daughter, son-in-law, and members of their team to discuss the alleged injustices faced by Khan and his party.
He further asserted that he is in contact with Trump’s family and team, and he is awaiting the inauguration before presenting the matter directly. He also intends to discuss broader issues surrounding human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law in Pakistan after Trump assumes office.
Bukhari claimed that Trump has previously expressed concerns over Khan’s legal challenges.
Meanwhile, former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also spoke on the same wavelength. He was of the view that the US has already spoken about the “unfair trials” faced by the PTI founder.
Chaudhry expressed his belief that Trump would intervene for Khan’s release, asserting that the US President-elect would not overlook congressional resolutions.
He noted that following Trump’s victory, PML-N members were deleting old social media posts out of concern. The former information minister expressed hope that the Government of Pakistan would fulfil its constitutional and international human rights obligations and that the people’s decisions would be respected in Pakistan.
Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub also congratulated the billionaire-turned-politician on winning the US presidential election.
In a post on X, he congratulated Trump and Vice President JD Vance on winning the election. “We hope this team will promote better relations between the people of Pakistan and the United States.”
In response to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said: “Asif is at an age where he should not be taken seriously.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has dismissed the possibility of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan being extradited to the United States, as rumour mill has been churning out following Republican candidate Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
“I don’t think Trump will advocate for Imran Khan’s release,” he said in a social media post on X.
Several supporters of Khan claimed that the new US president would advocate for his release because of this acquaintance with him.
