A recently leaked classified Pakistani diplomatic cable, identified as "I-0678" and marked "Secret," has reignited debate over the circumstances surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan's removal from office in 2022. The document, published by investigative outlet Drop Site, appears to detail a crucial March 7, 2022, meeting between Pakistan's then-ambassador to the US and senior American diplomat Donald Lu.
Indian Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani reacted strongly to the publication, stating on X, "This entire 'SECRET DOCUMENT' cypher getting leaked will make Asim Munir very, very angry. Very angry." Jethmalani suggested the leak reopens a file the Pakistani military establishment in Rawalpindi "wanted buried forever."
US Concerns and Diplomatic Warnings
The leaked Pakistan cable reportedly outlines Lu's concerns regarding Pakistan's stance on the Ukraine conflict, directly linking bilateral tensions to Khan's visit to Moscow on the day Russia invaded Ukraine. A particularly sensitive section of the document allegedly quotes Lu indicating that if the no-confidence motion against Khan succeeded, "all will be forgiven in Washington." Conversely, Pakistan reportedly faced potential diplomatic isolation from the United States and Europe if Khan remained in power.
The cable's concluding assessment, attributed to the Pakistani ambassador, suggests that Lu "could not have conveyed such a strong demarche without the express approval of the White House."
Imran Khan's Ouster and Military Involvement Allegations
This leaked document provides new weight to Khan's longstanding allegations that Washington quietly encouraged his removal after he pursued what he described as an independent foreign policy. Weeks after the alleged diplomatic exchange, Khan publicly brandished a document at a rally, accusing foreign powers of conspiring against his government. He subsequently lost a no-confidence vote in April 2022, becoming the first Pakistani Prime Minister to be removed by such a motion.
Jethmalani connected the episode to what he termed "Imran Khan’s removal, Biden administration's pressure, Pakistan’s ISI & military establishment, and the ‘all will be forgiven’ line that never stopped haunting Islamabad."
Criticism of Pakistan's Military Establishment
Jethmalani further criticized Pakistan's military establishment and Army chief Asim Munir, asserting that "Pakistan’s real crisis is its army treating democracy as rented property." He argued that the military had "sold the world a story" since 2022, claiming Khan's downfall was due to domestic politics and that the military had no involvement in the democratic collapse. "Now the full cypher is in public view, and suddenly the entire script looks fragile again," he added.
Calling for Khan's release from prison, Jethmalani concluded, "Because keeping him in jail after this only makes Rawalpindi look guiltier, weaker and more terrified of one man than ever before."