WASHINGTON: Richard Grenell, a member of Donald Trump’s incoming team, has raised hopes among Imran Khan’s supporters with his recent comments, offering strong support for the jailed former prime minister of Pakistan. In an interview on the US platform Newsmax, Grenell criticized the Biden administration’s stance on Pakistan, particularly regarding its missile program and Khan’s imprisonment.
Grenell, known for his outspoken social media presence, has been vocal in his calls for Khan’s release, including sharing a popular tweet with the hashtag βFree Imran Khan.β He praised Khan for his outsider status and common-sense leadership, drawing comparisons between Khan’s and Trump’s situations. He claimed both faced politically motivated charges, with the ruling party allegedly fabricating corruption allegations against them.
Grenell also discussed the tensions between the US and Pakistan over the missile program, emphasizing the need for a more direct approach from Washington, especially regarding nuclear nations like Pakistan. He also hinted that Marco Rubio, set to become the future Secretary of State, would focus on nuclear and missile issues in countries like Pakistan.
Khan’s party, PTI, has welcomed Grenell’s support, boosting the morale of party members and followers. PTI spokespersons expressed appreciation for his advocacy of human rights. However, some experts, like Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, cautioned that Grenell’s statements might not directly influence US policy or lead to Khan’s release. They suggested that such remarks should not be mistaken for formal policy changes.
