Moeed Pirzada is a brave Pakistani journalist, who had to flee from Pakistan as he often criticised the Pakistan Establishment for its wrong doings.. He has been living in USA for quite some time, where he writes vlogs which he posts on twitter, youtube, etc
Recently he gave a speech in Los Angeles where he had been invited by a Pakistani American congregation. In this speech he spoke on former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s imprisonment for over an year in Adiala jail,.and how he can be released
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aVZXXCoPws&pp=ygUNbW9lZWQgcGlyemFkYQ%3D%3D
Thereafter Moeed also posted a vlog on Youtube about the function
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD9bz79iSu0&pp=ygUNbW9lZWQgcGlyemFkYQ%3D%3D
On hearing these I regret to say that Moeed’s analysis of the situation is totally superficial and inane, and he has no understanding of realities.
Moeed thinks that Imran Khan can be released from jail if groups, within and outside Pakistan, put pressure on the Pakistan authorities. I submit such pressure will be futile.
We have to delve beneath the surface to grasp the underlying realities. To comprehend the true dynamics in Pakistan, one must view them within a broader, global context.
Currently, the principal global conflict lies between two alliances of big powers: (1) the US-Europe alliance, and (2) the China-Russia alliance. The ongoing developments in Pakistan can only be understood as a proxy struggle between these two significant world alliances. Imran Khan is perceived by the US Govt as an agent of the China-Russia alliance.
Historically, Pakistan was closely aligned with the US, benefiting from its substantial aid in weapons and loans/grants.
However, in recent years China, despite its self-identification as a socialist country, has emerged as an expanding imperial force. This shift has led to China’s deep economic and market penetration in Pakistan, as highlighted by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other analyses (Business Standard, JSTOR, Outlook India, The Week).
This transition has not gone unnoticed by the US, which once considered Pakistan a steadfast ally. The economic incursion by China into what was perceived as American territory has likely sparked resentment within the US government.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, known for his vocal criticism of America (The Guardian, Daily Excelsior), has further complicated the US-Pakistan relationship. He has characterized the US-Pakistani relationship as a ‘master-slave’ dynamic, especially criticizing Pakistan’s military involvement in Afghanistan at America’s insistence, in which thousands of Pakistani soldiers were killed.
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2011/sep/18/imran-khan-america-destroying-pakistan
Khan’s visit to Moscow during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict exacerbated tensions, leading to a strained relationship with the Biden Administration, to the extent of Khan being practically considered persona non grata, as he seems to have gone over to the Russo-Chinese camp.
According to Khan, there were attempts by the US to undermine his government, positioning him as a representative of the Russo-Chinese alliance within Pakistan (VOA News, The Guardian).
In April 2022, the world watched as former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was dethroned, arrested, and later confined to a cramped, bleak cell. Today, nearly 180 criminal charges loom over him, each designed to ensure he never regains freedom.
But what are Khan’s offenses? On the surface, he is accused of minor misdemeanors, from not fully paying for toshakhana gifts to alleged cypher crimes.
However, the real reasons for his imprisonment are rooted in geopolitical decisions that have irked global powers.
Here are his so-called ‘crimes’:
Opposition to US Invasion of Afghanistan (Post-9/11): After the horrific 9/11 attack, President Bush prepared to invade Afghanistan and demanded global allegiance, announcing, “Those not with us, are against us.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/purported-text-of-secret-cable-shows-us-ire-at-imran-khan-/7219123.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/imran-khan-address-pakistan-faces-no-confidence-vote
Pakistan’s ruler at the time, Gen Musharraf, sided with the US, despite Pakistan’s close ties to Afghanistan. Khan denounced this alliance, highlighting the loss of 70,000 Pakistani lives and an economic setback of $150 billion. His claim was that the partnership was formed not for public interest but for financial gains.https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/imran-khan-says-pak-paid-heavy-price-in-siding-with-us-in-afghanistan-invasion-101631989129609.htmlhttps://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-joined-americas-war-on-terror-for-dollars-pm-imran-khan-2663961Refusal to Partner with the US: Khan firmly declared that Pakistan would never again join the US in warfare, chastising past decisions to engage in US-led conflicts.https://www.voanews.com/a/south-central-asia_khan-pakistan-can-never-again-be-us-partner-war/6207681.htmlOpposition to US Military Bases in Pakistan: Khan resisted any US military presence within Pakistan, fearing it would lead to retaliatory attacks.https://www.dawn.com/news/1630278
Seeking Oil Deals with Russia: Amidst the Ukraine conflict, Khan approached Russia for oil deals. This ruffled feathers in the US, which was backing Ukraine.https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/everything-will-be-forgiven-how-the-us-got-pakistans-support-for-ukraine-after-aiding-imran-khans-ouster-637134Resistance to US Aid: Khan has long been a critic of US aid, feeling it compromises national sovereignty.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/01/pakistan-must-reject-us-aid-and-exit-the-war-on-terror-says-imran-khanAllegations of a US Conspiracy: Khan has voiced his suspicions about a US-led plot that led to his ousting in 2022.https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/asia/pakistan-imran-khan-us-conspiracy-intl-hnk/index.htmlhttps://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-claims-us-official-involved-in-alleged-conspiracy-to-topple-his-govt-468554
These actions have made Khan a thorn in the side of the US government, and by extension, the Pakistan army, which has historically kowtowed to US interests. Many high-ranking Pakistani army officers enjoy direct or indirect benefits from the US, be it lucrative jobs for their children e.g. in the World Bank, IMF or some multi-national corporation, or admission with full scholarship to prestigious institutions like Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, Princeton, Stanford, etc. The generals have stashed huge amounts in American banks, and are beholden to America in various ways. They will therefore do the latter’s bidding, e.g. getting ZA Bhutto hanged.
Khan’s defiance towards the US and strong criticism of the US,, in essence, is the ‘crime’ that has seen him imprisoned in Adiala jail under grim conditions. One cannot help but wonder if he will suffer a fate similar to ZA Bhutto. Only time will tell. But in any event he is unlikely to be released anytime in the near future, however much pressure, as recommended by Moeed, is applied
The US still broadly controls Pakistan ( through the Pak army, which obeys its orders ) and it will never allow Imran Khan to become the Prime Minister, even though 90% Pakistanis support him, since they regard him as belonging to the Russo-Chinese camp. They will ensure he is kept in jail, because if released he will stir up the country, as Bhutto sought to do when released soon after imposition of martial law
