Lettergate

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Lettergate is an American-Pakistani political affair set off by a conversation at a farewell lunch for Asad Majeed Khan, then-Pakistani ambassador to the United States, on 7 March 2022 at Khan's official residence known as the Pakistan House.[1][2] A diplomatic telegram (Cypher No. I-0678)[3] was sent by Ambassador Khan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on the notes taken by a note-taker from the embassy of Pakistan based in Washington, D.C.[1] The telegram allegedly stated that in the course of the meeting, the United States had expressed a desire to the government of Pakistan for prime minister Imran Khan to be removed from office because of his neutral stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine and refusal to back the Ukrainians, promising warmer relations if Pakistan agrees while threatening isolation if it does not.[4] The lunch was attended by US officials including then US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Secretary Lesslie Viguerie. The Pakistani diplomats attending the lunch meeting included Deputy Chief of Mission Syed Naveed Bokhari and the defence attaché.[1][5][6][7]

The meeting was deemed a "blatant interference" by the 37th National Security Council of Pakistan[8][7] and resulted in a strong démarche to the US chargé d'affaires.[9] The 38th National Security Council reaffirmed the previous council's assessment but deemed that "no evidence of any foreign conspiracy" was found.[10][11] The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan (PTI), alleged that the events of the meeting were an attempt to influence his foreign policy,[12] and the content of the letter confirmed a conspiracy to remove him from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in favor of the members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement.[13] He also alleged that the letter stated that if the vote of no confidence failed, Pakistan would face dire consequences.[14] The US Spokesperson for the Department of State, Ned Price, denied the allegations, saying "there is absolutely no truth to that allegation."[15][16]

On 10 May, the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif (PMLN, PDM), addressed the National Assembly and acknowledged the letter was genuine, but reiterated no conspiracy.[17]

  1. ^ a b c Iqbal, Anwar (17 April 2022). "Farewell lunch triggered 'Lettergate' dispute". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Threat letter from US, says Pak PM Imran Khan says in slip of tongue". www.business-standard.com. Press Trust of India. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Has cabinet violated Official Secrets Act?". The Express Tribune. 3 October 2022. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  4. ^ Grim, Ryan; Hussain, Murtaza (9 August 2023). "Secret Pakistan Cable Documents U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan". The Intercept. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023.
  5. ^ "PM Imran says 'foreign-funded conspiracy' out to topple his govt, claims to have evidence in writing". dawn.com. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Foreign communication is blatant interference in Pakistan's internal affairs: NSC". 92 News HD. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Letter: NSC strongly reacts to 'interference'". Brecorder. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. ^ Iwanek, Krzysztof. "Imran Khan's US Conspiracy Theory: A Close Examination". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Pakistan summons US Charge d'Affaires to issue demarche". The Statesman. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  10. ^ "No foreign conspiracy to topple Imran's government, says NSC". www.gulftoday.ae. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  11. ^ Khan, Omer Farooq (23 April 2022). "Pakistan NSC rules out 'foreign conspiracy' theory in ousting Imran Khan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  12. ^ "PTI wants cordial ties with US but on 'equal footing': Gill". Brecorder. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  13. ^ Khan, Sanaullah (31 March 2022). "NSC decides to issue strong demarche to unnamed country over 'threat letter'". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  14. ^ "PM ready to share 'letter' with CJP: Asad Umar". Brecorder. 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  15. ^ "'Absolutely no truth': State Department, White House reject allegations of 'threatening' letter against Pakistan". Arab News PK. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  16. ^ "US Denies Imran Khan's Allegations Of Interference In Pakistan's Internal Matters". outlookindia.com. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).