Zionists want Imran back in power: Iqbal

ISLAMABAD:

Commenting on an article from The Jerusalem Post that suggests former prime minister Imran Khan could influence Pakistan's policy towards Israel, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal claimed that the Jewish lobby wants to see the PTI founder return to power.

"The Zionist lobby is trying to reimpose Imran Khan on Pakistan. According to the Israeli newspaper, the PTI founder is the only acceptable person for the Israeli lobby in Pakistan," Iqbal said during a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday.

He said people are now aware of who is behind the "PTI founder project."

Referring to Imran Khan's support for his former brother-in-law, Zac Goldsmith, who was contesting the London mayoral election against Sadiq Khan in April 2016, Iqbal said the former PM openly opposed a Pakistani-origin candidate in the election. "Since 2013, he has engaged in politics of hate and division, which has caused severe polarization in Pakistan," Iqbal added.

The Jerusalem Post, on September 16, published an optimistic opinion piece on the "growing" recognition of Israel in the Muslim world.

The article, written by Harry Richer, argued that figures like the incarcerated former premier, Imran Khan, could play a central role "in changing both public opinion and military policy" in Pakistan towards Israel.