US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu vehemently dismissed allegations leveled against him by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, terming them as baseless conspiracy theories during his testimony before a subcommittee of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Lu, who was questioned about his alleged role in a ‘cablegate’ controversy, emphasized that the accusations were unfounded and lacked any factual basis.
The controversy started with a diplomatic cable allegedly sent by the former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed, purportedly containing a warning from Lu. Imran Khan utilized this document to assert a conspiracy by the US to undermine his government in 2022.
Lu clarified that the alleged cable did not implicate the US government or himself in any actions against Khan, and the Pakistani ambassador to the US corroborated this stance.
During Lu’s testimony, he faced disruptions from attendees, with one individual labeling him a “liar” and chants of “Free Imran Khan” echoing in the room. Lu emphasized the importance of respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and democratic processes, despite the hostile reaction to his statements.
Furthermore, Lu addressed concerns regarding press freedom and social media censorship in Pakistan, highlighting the detrimental effects of internet restrictions on access to diverse information. He affirmed ongoing discussions with the Pakistani government to address these issues at the highest levels.
In response to inquiries about the alleged US involvement in regime change in Pakistan, Lu categorically denied any American participation. He emphasized that he and other Americans were not involved in the process leading to the ousting of the PTI government.
Lu also revealed the personal toll of the allegations, disclosing that he and his family had faced death threats over the past two years. He underscored the need to draw a line between freedom of speech and threats of violence, emphasizing that such behavior was unacceptable in society.
