By Justice Markandey Katju-
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
Many Pakistanis are raving and waxing lyrical over statements by two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Joe Wilson and Rashida Tlaib, calling for release from jail of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated in Adiala jail since August 2023.
There are 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives (and 100 members of the U.S. Senate). So, statements of one Congressman and one Congresswoman are hardly relevant.
Moreover, U.S. policy is decided by the U.S. President, not by Congress.
My own opinion is that Imran Khan will not be released from jail until the attitude of the U.S. Government changes, but there is no sign of such change as yet.
Imran Khan foolishly took cudgels with the American Government, not realizing that America controls Pakistan through the Pakistan army. The Pakistan army rules Pakistan, and U.S. Govt controls the Pak army, as the generals of the Pak army are beholden to the U.S. Govt in various ways.
When former Prime Minister ZA Bhutto antagonized the U.S. Govt (by doing a nuclear deal with France, and coming closer to Russia and China), the U.S. Govt decided to eliminate him through Gen Zia-ul-Haq, who loyally carried out the order he was given.
In the article I have mentioned the ‘crimes’ of Imran Khan.
Imran Khan criticised the US Govt for trying to topple his government.
Today in the world there are two powerful alliances which are hostile to each other (1) USA and Europe (2) China and Russia. Pakistan, since it’s inception, was in the American camp.
But Imran Khan has tried to steer away from America, and towards the other camp, as was evident when he visited Moscow and met President Putin at the time of the Ukraine war. He also gave many strong anti-U.S. statements such as saying that the Americans got 80,000 Pakistani soldiers killed in Afghanistan, and treat Pakistanis as their slaves. He also called Osama Bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr).
All this has strongly antagonized the U.S. Govt.
Some people thought that after Trump became President there would be a change in U.S. policy, especially after his confidante Richard Grenell tweeted ‘Free Imran Khan’. But those may have only been feelers, at the instance of Trump. Only time can tell whether there will be any change in U.S. policy. As yet, there is no indication.
(ANI Photo)
