Richard Grenell, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for special missions, has claimed that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan shared a “very good relationship” with Trump during his first term as US president. In an interview with Newsmax TV, Grenell stated that Khan, the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had strong ties with Trump during his tenure as Pakistan’s PM from 2018 to 2022.
Grenell’s comments have sparked hope among PTI supporters, many of whom speculate that Trump might intervene on behalf of their leader as he prepares for a potential return to office. However, no official indication has been given to support these claims.
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Echoing his previous statements in support of Imran Khan, Grenell urged the Biden administration to take action for Khan’s release before their term ends. He criticized the Pakistani government’s handling of Khan’s imprisonment, likening the charges against him to those faced by Trump, describing them as politically motivated and “false allegations.”
Grenell also referenced recent remarks by US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller, who expressed concerns over civilian trials in Pakistani military courts. Grenell interpreted this as a subtle call for Khan’s release, stating, “Instead of pretending to care about judicial processes, just say what you mean: free Imran Khan.”
Additionally, Grenell mentioned that the Secretary of State-designate was ready to engage in discussions about Pakistan’s missile programme, suggesting the potential for future diplomatic conversations between the two nations.
