ISLAMABAD – The Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia atthe US State Department Donald Lu skipped the question when asked about theregime change conspiracy in Pakistan.
The State Department official, during his visit to India, was engaged foran interview by the Indian daily Hindustan Times and was questioned for hisconversation with Pakistan Ambassador in Washington saying that Pakistanwould face difficulties in case Prime Minister Imran Khan survived theno-confidence motion.
“Imran Khan seems to suggest that you had a conversation with the Pakistaniambassador in the US and told him that if Imran Khan survives theno-confidence motion, Pakistan is in trouble and the US won’t forgivePakistan. Any response?,” the interviewer asked.
In response, Donald Lu, who is considered the author of the officialcommunication to Pakistan, avoided direct reply rather only could say, “Weare following developments in Pakistan and we respect and supportPakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law.”
Asked whether he had such conversation, the US official skipped thequestion again to say, “That’s all I have for you on that question.”
On March 27, Prime Minister Imran Khan had told a public gathering inIslamabad that his government had received an official communication from aforeign country, seeking his ouster else Pakistan would be in trouble.
Other than Donald Lu, the US State Department Spokesman Ned Price alsoresponded the same question in a similar way.
“Well, we are closely following developments in Pakistan, and we respect(and) we support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law,”the spokesman said in reply to a question at his daily press briefing.
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The same question was asked at the White House press briefing, andCommunications Director Kate Bedingfield, said, “There is absolutely notruth to that allegation.”
The threatening communication was also discussed at the 37th meeting of theNational Security Committee which expressed grave concern at thecommunication, terming the language used by the foreign official asundiplomatic.
The committee also termed it a blatant interference in the internal affairsof Pakistan, which was unacceptable under any circumstances.
Pakistan also handed over a demarche to the US diplomat to convey itsconcerns to the country through diplomatic channels.
Prime Minister Imran Khan viewed that the no-confidence motion submitted bythe opposition parties against him was also part of the same conspiracyhatched by the US.
He believed that the objective behind the efforts for his ouster was theindependent foreign policy being towed by his government on regional andinternational issues.
