Mazari terms US envoy's Torkham visit part of ‘regime change conspiracy’

PTI leader Shireen Mazari has termed US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome's recent visit to the Torkham border crossing as part of the “US regime change conspiracy”.

“US envoy and his gang flying over sensitive areas of Pak on way to Torkham & surveying lay of land + official briefing & red carpet! Areas ordinary Pak citizens cant go!,” she said in a tweet from her official handle on Saturday

“Blome Viceroy in all but name & arrogance writ large? One more US regime change conspiracy agenda item fulfilled!,” she added.

Ambassador Blome visited Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on August 3 and 4 to highlight the US government’s extensive economic and development assistance, which has benefited the residents of the province over the past 75 years of bilateral relations.

During his trip, the US envoy called upon K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and emphasised that the United States wishes to continue cooperation on economic development, commerce, educational partnerships, and investment that have helped the region and its people, said a press release issued by US Embassy on Friday.

He also visited the Torkham border crossing to see first-hand how the border contributes to trade and economic activities in K-P. This included viewing the 46-kilometer Peshawar-Torkham Road, an $87 million US government construction project which has reduced the cost of travel and vehicle maintenance by half while facilitating commuters and traders each day.

Also read: Regime-change plot must be probed: Imran

Responding to Mazari’s tweet journalist Hamid Mir asked, “What about the red carpet reception by CM KPK for ‘viceroy’ from US?”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also criticised the PTI leadership saying the K-P CM allowed the US envoy to sit on his chair and received a gift of 36 vehicles.

“[Former prime minister] Imran Khan abuses America and accuses us of being part of American conspiracy. They [PTI] are mental slaves,” he added.

Hitting back at critics, the Mazari said government to government socio-economic programmes are executed through agreements and are the norm. “But an envoy going to sensitive areas & being provided access is a security issue so is there a security agreement now in place with US? We shd know if there is.”