Leaked U.S-Pakistan cable revives dispute over Imran Khan ouster

A leaked diplomatic cable has reignited a long-running political controversy in Pakistan, centering on allegations that foreign pressure contributed to the 2022 ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The document, published by an investigative outlet, details a meeting between senior U.S. and Pakistani diplomats weeks before Khan lost a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

The cable, identified as I0678, is a classified communication from Pakistan’s then-ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed Khan. It summarizes a March 7, 2022, lunch meeting with Donald Lu, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. According to the document, Lu stated that Washington’s grievances with Khan’s government could be set aside if the prime minister was removed through the no-confidence motion. The cable quotes Lu as saying, “I think if the no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington.” It adds that otherwise, it would be “tough going ahead,” and warned of potential isolation from the U.S. and Europe.

The document indicates U.S. dissatisfaction was linked to several of Khan’s foreign policy decisions. These included...