Richard Grenell slams Khawaja Asif over remarks about Imran Khan

Defence minister had claimed that Western figures calling for Imran Khan’s release are supported by Israel

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Richard Grenell, former US ambassador and President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy nominee, criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for alleging that Israel-backed Western voices were campaigning for ex prime minister Imran Khan’s release from prison.

“The death threats, and crazy talk … from the Minister of Defence is reckless,” Grenell posted on X, tagging the IMF and USAID. “There should be a review of what the US taxpayer provides Pakistan in aid.”

Asif had claimed that Western figures calling for Khan’s release were supported by Israel, which Pakistan does not recognise. “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 Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh.

Earlier, Grenell urged the Biden administration to advocate for Khan’s release before leaving office, stating it would allow him to participate in Pakistan's political process.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office declined to comment on Grenell’s remarks. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Thursday, “As far as any individual capacity, anyone making statements in their individual capacity, we would not like to comment on that.”