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Lettergate is an American-Pakistani political affair set off by a conversation at a farewell lunch for Asad Majeed Khan, the then-Pakistani ambassador to the United States, which took place on 7 March 2022 at Khan's official residence, also known as Pakistan House.[1][2] A diplomatic telegram (Cypher No. I-0678)[3] sent by Ambassador Khan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was based on the notes taken by the note-taker, who was 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 refusal to abandon his neutral stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine and back the Ukrainians, with a promise of warmer relations if his removal occurred, and threatening isolation if it did 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 contents 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]

Timeline

Contents of the letter

The complete contents of the letter are protected under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 of Pakistan, and have not been disclosed.[29] However, selected components have been spoken about through various interviews, speeches and public statements.

The former Prime Minister Imran Khan and members of his cabinet claimed that the letter demanded the removal of the Prime Minister and if Khan remained the prime minister, it would lead to horrific consequences.[30]

It also mentioned that all would be forgiven if the Prime Minister was removed.[31]

On 10 May 2022, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif addressed the National Assembly and acknowledged the letter was threatening, but reaffirmed the notes did not mention conspiracy.[17][32]

On 9 August 2023, the alleged cypher was published in full by The Intercept.[4]

Calls for judicial commission and investigation

On 29 March 2022, the Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar, said Prime Minister Khan would share the letter with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial.[14] The PTI government urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to set up an independent Judicial Commission to investigate the letter.[33] The Chief Justice received the letter, however did not comment or form any commission.[34][35]

The PTI government also turned to retired Lieutenant General Tariq Khan to head a separate commission to investigate the letter.[36][37]   However the commission failed to form, as Lieutenant General Khan cited the army warned him not to be politicized,[38] and there was not enough time to properly investigate under the current government.[38][39] In an open letter, Gen. Khan wrote, "I have no connections with any politicians or political party, am known to be apolitical...I was more than willing to undertake this task," however "it appeared that the Government would not last for more than a day or two" so he could not continue.[38]

On 6 May 2022, the newly formed PDM government announced the formation of a probe to investigate the alleged foreign conspiracy.[40] This was rejected in a press conference by former Minister of Information Fawad Chaudry, who reiterated that they "will only consider commission formed under [an] independent judiciary which will have an open hearing."[41] The PTI members "questioned how the FIA, which is under Shehbaz Sharif, can hold a probe into the cipher" and any probe by this government would be biased as they were the beneficiaries of the alleged conspiracy.[41]

The former Prime Minister Khan, in separate letters written to the President of Pakistan and Chief Justice on 30 April 2022, again urged the formation of an independent Judicial Commission.[42][43]

On 10 May 2022, in a public statement, President Arif Alvi verified the contents of the letter and urged Chief Justice Umar Bandial to hold an open hearing.[44][45] He "underscored that threats could both be covert and overt and in this particular case, it was clearly communicated through undiplomatic and informal language."[44]

See also

References

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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.
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  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.
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