Zalmay Khalilzad, former US ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, hit back at former Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari after the latter called the former an Imran Khan lobbyist and double agent.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Khalilzad wrote, “Responding to Pakistan’s “Mr. 10 Percent”: I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one’s agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan’s triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. “Mr. Ten Percent” should put country first and honor BB’s legacy, to preclude a meltdown that will hurt the 220 million people who – unlike him and others like him, do not own posh homes in several countries that they can run away to. The Pakistani establishment and the country’s political leaders must commit to rule of law, starting by not splitting the Supreme Court, but instead, implementing its decisions.”
Responding to Pakistan's "Mr. 10 Percent": I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one's agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan's triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. "Mr. Ten Percent" should put…
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) April 15, 2023
In an interview to Hamid Mir of Geo News on Friday, Zardari had called Khalilzad a “double agent” and said that he was supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan these days at the behest of a particular lobby.
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Khalizad has been watching the political developments taking place in Pakistan closely in recent months. Earlier this month, he tweeted, “Now that #Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered Punjab elections on May 14, implementing it is a necessary first step to avoid a meltdown in the country.”
He also condemned Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan’s threatening remarks against Imran Khan. Taking to Twitter to express his feelings, Khalilzad said, “#Pakistan Interior Minister’s statement that “either Imran Khan exists or we do” is shocking and should be rejected by all God fearing and law abiding Pakistanis. It is an incitement to violence against a major political leader. The Prime Minister must publicly disassociate himself from his minister’s comments. This mindset is a big reason for Pakistan’s dysfunctionality. If that does not change, the country will continue to be mired in crisis.”