Will Trump Get Imran Khan Out of Jail? Pakistan after the US elections

New Delhi: Pakistan’s political elite is now fighting over newly-elected US President Donald Trump. A day after he won the election, ministers and opposition leaders began discussing whether Trump would push for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is pinning its hopes on Trump’s presidency.

PTI leader Syed Zulfi Bukhari announced his plans to increase Khan’s detention. “I will talk to Trump’s team, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner about the injustice against Imran Khan,” he told the media.

Bukhari added that Trump has a “soft corner on Imran Khan,” having previously expressed concerns about his imprisonment. A deepfake video of Trump promising to get Khan out of jail went viral, adding to the confusion.

But the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is not happy about it. The defense minister, foreign minister and foreign ministry spokesperson ruled out such a pardon while announcing that Pakistan would take a cautious approach to Trump’s presidency.

Will Donald Trump intervene?

A congratulatory message for Trump was posted from Imran Khan’s

“Congratulations from myself and PTI to @realDonaldTrump for winning the US presidential election. The will of the American people prevailed against all odds. President-elect Trump will be good for Pakistan’s relations with the US, based on mutual respect for democracy and human rights. We hope he will push for peace, human rights and democracy worldwide,” the post said read.

Khan has been in prison since 2023 and faces more than 100 charges. He has now been acquitted in all but one case. On October 24, his wife, Bushra Bibi, was released from prison, nine months after they were both sentenced to 12 years in the Toshakhana case. Khan remains in prison on charges of complicity in the May 9, 2023 mayhem.

Imran Khan is locked in a standoff with Pakistan’s powerful military leadership, which he accuses of supporting the current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Despite his legal battles, Khan remains extremely popular in Pakistan, with his party winning the most seats in the February 2024 general election.

In an interviewPakistani geopolitical analyst Uzair Younus said it was highly unlikely that Trump would intervene in Khan’s release because it would require direct involvement with the Pakistani military – a step Trump is not inclined to do.

No relief for Imran Khan

The PML-N has expressed skepticism over the likelihood of US intervention in Imran Khan’s case.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif played down any suggestion that the government would relent even if Trump requested Khan’s release.

“Some people say it is a matter of the call from America, and Imran Khan will be handed over to the callers (because) Pakistan cannot dare to refuse the call (of an American president),” he wrote on X. He continued: However, it should be respectfully noted that Nawaz Sharif was once offered five billion dollars along with a phone call, but he refused and continued with nuclear tests. In contrast, Pervez Musharraf received a call and complied with the demands placed on him.”

Asif gave examples of Pakistan standing firm despite international pressure, most notably then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who refused a $5 billion offer and continued nuclear testing in 1998, while reported Through The Express Stand.

Adding fuel to the fire, Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, rejected any suggestion that Washington could pressure Pakistan to release Khan. He speculated that if the U.S. were to intervene, it might seek a trade — for example, by releasing Imran Khan in exchange for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving a prison sentence in the U.S. for terrorism-related crimes.

In an appearance on ARY News‘ ‘Khabar Muhammad Malick Ke Saath’, Sanaullah drew several parallels between them Imran Khan and Donald Trumpstating that both are “known for spreading falsehoods, mocking others and attacking institutions.” He added: “(They) share traits of dishonesty, ridiculing others and using unlawful tactics to achieve their goals. Trump, for example, rallied his supporters and stormed the White House.”

When asked about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s congratulatory messages to the US President-elect, Sanaullah dismissed them as “just a diplomatic gesture and a formality.”

To be or not to be – Trump’s friend

The fighting also spread to social media. Former US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad wondered how, with a Trump victory, General Asim Munir would do that to justify Khan’s captivity.

“It is time to release Imran Khan and others held without due process,” Khalilzad wrote. In response, journalist Wajahat Kazmi responded labeled Khalilzad a ‘spokesman for the Goldsmith family’.

Kazmi wrote on From accusing the US of toppling Imran Khan’s government to seeking their help in their leader’s Haqeeqi Azaadi is purely comical.”

Pakistani citizens participated using their favorite tool: memes.

One X user shared a clip from the film of Manoj Bajpayee running with a knife in hand Gangs of Wasseypur, subtitles it: “Trump goes to Adiyala to free Imran Khan after learning he won.”

Another shared a clip of Adele’s blank face with the subtitles: “Donald Trump when Pakistanis tell him Imran Khan is in jail.”

(Edited by Prashant)