Richard Grenell, former US ambassador and candidate for President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy, criticized Defense Minister Khawaja Asif for alleging that Western voices backed by Israel were campaigning for former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s release from prison. .
“The death threats and craziness… of the Minister of Defense are reckless,” Grenell posted on X, tagging the IMF and USAID. “There should be a review of what American taxpayers provide to Pakistan in aid.”
Asif had claimed that Western figures calling for Khan’s release had the support of Israel, a country Pakistan does not recognize. “This clearly shows that Imran Khan is an Israeli asset through which they want to destroy the only Muslim nuclear power,” he said in a statement.
In response, Grenell demanded explanations from the Pakistani embassy in Washington and Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh.
Previously, Grenell urged the Biden administration to advocate for Khan’s release before leaving office, saying it would allow him to participate in Pakistan’s political process.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office declined to comment on Grenell’s comments. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Thursday: “As far as anyone in their individual capacity is concerned, anyone making statements in their individual capacity, we would not like to comment on that.”
