Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan reported that the party’s founder, Imran Khan, reacted positively to Donald Trump’s electoral victory over Kamala Harris in the recent U.S. presidential elections.
According to the former federal minister, Imran believes Trump’s return could reduce the “negativity” towards Pakistan, which he attributes to increasing under the Biden administration.
Ali shared that upon hearing of Trump’s win, the incarcerated former prime minister recalled the favourable relations during his tenure, starkly contrasting what he perceives as interference and hostility from Joe Biden’s administration.
The PTI has consistently claimed U.S. meddling in Imran’s removal as prime minister in April 2022. Ali quoted Imran saying, “Under the Biden administration, there was interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs and negativity.”
Trump, aged 78, won the election after a highly polarized campaign notable for two assassination attempts and Harris’s last-minute candidacy following Biden’s unexpected withdrawal.
Ali also mentioned that PTI’s overseas supporters view Trump’s presidency as potentially beneficial for Imran’s political stance, possibly easing political and diplomatic hurdles.
“There will be an impact [once the Trump administration] takes charge. This is a positive development if we see the rise of leaders with whom we have had favourable relations,” he elaborated.
Conversely, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed skepticism about Trump advocating for Imran’s release post-election. “We don’t think Trump will call for the PTI founder’s release. Let’s wait 15 to 20 days and see his stance,” he commented.
Read: PTI Seeks Foreign Aid for Imran Khan’s Release, Claims Defense Minister
Simultaneously, PTI leader Raoof Hasan clarified during the broadcast that the party did not anticipate Imran’s release following Trump’s victory. “We never pinned our hopes on Trump’s win. We are relying on support from the judiciary, parliament, and protests for the PTI founder’s release,” he stated, confirming that no such discussions occurred within the parliamentary party.
