In a surprising turn of events, US Ambassador Donald Blome recently held a surprise meeting with the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Adiala Jail, where the latter remains incarcerated in the cipher case.
This was disclosed by journalist Aijaz Ahmed in this vlog for [Naya Daur] on Saturday.
In the vlog, Ahmed said that while this meeting has not been publicly acknowledged, sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other diplomatic sources and in Adiala Jail confirmed to Ahmed that the meeting took place.
Blome was there primarily to meet foreign nationals, including Americans, incarcerated in the prison.
During the meeting, Blome is said to have spoken directly with Imran Khan and asked him about his conditions. Imran is said to have repeated what he has maintained in his statements to the court, that he is satisfied with the arrangements in jail.
After reviewing the situation, the American delegation allegedly gave a message to Imran Khan not to involve the US in his fight with the Pakistani establishment.
Moreover, he was told that the US could not interfere in the judicial process he was subject to.
Additionally, he was told that the US was not involved in his ouster from power, so his party should scale back its messaging against the US, especially public criticism of the Joe Biden administration.
The issue of Israel was also reportedly discussed.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy has publicly acknowledged that Blome recently met with several "political actors", including former prime minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani at a gathering at the latter's residence in Multan. Later, in Lahore, he met with the deposed prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen.
The focus of Blome in all of these meetings, apart from other topics of mutual interest and the "Green Alliance" framework, was the upcoming general elections.
Blome has been actively engaging with all stakeholders in Pakistani elections, including politicians, the caretaker government and even the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Sources suggested that in these conversations, Blome has allegedly pushed for the younger generation to be allowed to come forward and play a key role in Pakistan's politics.
Alamgirs to leave PPP?
Ahmed claimed that he recently learned that PPP stalwarts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Arbab Alamgir and his family, including his wife Asma Arbab and son, are mulling plans to leave the party and join the rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
He said a Peshawar-based journalist had recently contacted Asma Arbab, who apparently confirmed it.
It is believed that Arbab Alamgir will contest as a member of the National Assembly. Asma Arbab would be a reserved seat for women member and their son would contest for a provincial assembly seat on PML-N tickets.