Richard Grenell, a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump and his former intelligence chief, has called for the release of Imran Khan, the incarcerated founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), amid ongoing protests in Islamabad.
“Release Imran Khan,” Grenell, who also served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany and as acting director of national intelligence during Trump’s 2017-2021 term, demanded on the social platform X, while sharing a Bloomberg report on the PTI’s protests.
Following his removal from office through a vote of no confidence, Imran Khan has been detained at Adiala Jail since August last year. Khan has claimed that the US orchestrated his ouster in 2022, referring to an alleged cipher from US diplomat Donald Lu.
Release Imran Khan! https://t.co/y7puqQ9Los
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) November 26, 2024It’s worth noting that Khan maintained strong relations with Trump during his presidency, including several meetings at the White House.
Read: LEAs Launch Operation Against PTI Protesters at D-Chowk
This week, thousands of PTI supporters marched on Islamabad, responding to Khan’s call for a protest despite numerous hurdles and clashes with police. They are protesting against what they term the “illegal” incarceration of Khan, other party leaders, and workers, the “stolen mandate” in the February 8 general elections, and the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
🇵🇰🇺🇸 Thank you, @RichardGrenell, for voicing the demand for justice and the immediate #ReleaseImranKhan — a true leader, global icon, and symbol of hope for millions.
As a senior Trump official, your call sends a powerful message: Dictator Asim Munir’s fascist and undemocratic… pic.twitter.com/zNwmtqwYBB
— FirstPakistanGlobal (@FirstPakGlobal) November 26, 2024Authorities have imposed a security lockdown and barricaded highways to prevent protesters from entering the city. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have pushed back protesters from Islamabad’s D-Chowk, the intended site of the party’s major demonstration.
Read: PTI Convoy Holds Position at D-Chowk Amid Government Negotiations
Geo News reported that PTI protesters began retreating from the site following intense tear gas shelling and action by the authorities. In recent months, the PTI, founded by Imran Khan, has organized several marches on the federal capital, frequently resulting in confrontations with law enforcement agencies.
