Imran’s meeting with US envoy stirs speculations
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ISLAMABAD: A meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and US Ambassador Richard Olson at the former’s Bani Gala residence on Saturday has generated speculations about impending political developments.
It was the first meeting between Imran Khan and Ambassador Olson since the PTI began its sit-in in Islamabad’s ‘red zone’ in mid-August. More importantly, the meeting took place ahead of the party’s planned rally in the federal capital on Nov 30 which, analysts believe, would mark the next phase of Mr Khan’s campaign against alleged rigging in last year’s elections.
The meeting took place at the request of the US ambassador, a PTI spokesperson said.
But both sides tried to play down any significance of the meeting, saying that there was nothing extraordinary in it.
An American source privy to the meeting said that it was a “courtesy call” and part of the ambassador’s interaction with politicians.
Shireen Mazari, the PTI’s information secretary, told reporters that there was nothing specific on the agenda.
A source said that the Nov 30 rally was one of the issues that came up for discussion.
The PTI leader reiterated his party’s position on poll rigging and explained the objectives of his movement.
Analysts attached importance to the meeting as it took place a day after US President Barack Obama phoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was about to conclude his US trip.
Published in Dawn, November 23th , 2014
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Comments (27) Closed
Nov 23, 2014 08:33am
It has been a while since IK has collected USD and it is time to sell out like Qadri did a couple of times. Those naive who took part in Dharnas and lost a lot should ask the question "what has been achieved"? Only a few dozen people got killed, many injured and jailed, national institutions attacked but no change for poor naive electorate. People should insist that IK stay at Dharna until something concrete for poor people is obtained. Not like the global energy prices went down because of Dharna.
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Nov 23, 2014 08:36am
The Pakistan political leader meet an ambassador, was it something never heard of,
IK is Voice of All Watan
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Nov 23, 2014 08:37am
Any plan been made? We will know after 30 years! After all US has to stop Pakistan from extending further relations with China and Russia.
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Nov 23, 2014 09:07am
These are routine meetings conducted by US envoys with leading politicians.
Attaching a lot of significance to it is a bit unnecessary.
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Nov 23, 2014 09:08am
Recognition of your important role in national politics IK!
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Nov 23, 2014 09:09am
No doubt it has been arranged after Nawaz Sharif requested Obama to engage with IK. Americans want sharif to stay and will do their best to broker a deal between IK and NS.
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Nov 23, 2014 09:10am
Whatever imrans' do or do not do stirs speculation !
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Nov 23, 2014 09:25am
Hang on here is something being planned in Washington, watch N-PML and PPP come out with some crazy statements .
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Nov 23, 2014 09:44am
Naya Pakistan - approval stamp of the US in the making?
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Nov 23, 2014 09:49am
If one can sequence the event of past 8 days then it will go like this: 1) Govt and Army on the 'same page'; 2) PM visits China; 3) Gen Sharif meets Afghan President at GHQ; 4) Gen Sharif leaves for US; 5) On third day of Gen Sharif's visit Advisor to PM on foreign affairs creates ripples; 6) Special court's decision on Musharaf trial; 7) Obama calls Sharif; 9) Olson meets Imran. Well what more a conspiracy theorist needs for 'going Nawaz going?
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Nov 23, 2014 09:57am
When you met me US ambassador then its okay no one else can meet with foreign envoy.
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Nov 23, 2014 09:57am
Admit it or not. The road to PM House Islamabad goes through Washington (unfortunately) :-(
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Nov 23, 2014 10:08am
Imran Khan has learnt albeit late of US interest in Pakistani will continue notwithstanding who stand in its way. The meeting with the ambassador may result in a mute support of his justifiable demand of an audit of four constituencies obstructed by Nawaz Government. Imran is learning quick that his living off from a container in excess of 100 days is finally drawing attention in the West and may result in a resolution for the recount or validation of Nawaz Government in calling a snap general elections. The all important call of 30th November is a make or break with Nisar in a state of panic, but Imran is a lone man standing and will have to muster support of the likes of Dr Qadri, MQM and any splinter group in Sindh to partner PTI in future polls.
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Nov 23, 2014 10:12am
No need to make a big deal about this meeting, since Imran Khan meets with a variety of diplomats on a frequent basis. It's what a political party leader's role is.
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Nov 23, 2014 10:51am
@Nia -Very true, also it branches out to Saudi Arabia as well
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Nov 23, 2014 10:59am
Shows IK importance.....
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Nov 23, 2014 11:18am
@Nia ..... No this is not the case. I agree with Shahid's statement above. Most probably this meeting has been arranged upon the request of Nawaz Shareef, after his phone call with Obama. US still wants NS to continue that's why he asked his ambassador to talk to IK and to convince him to come to a term with NS.
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Nov 23, 2014 11:32am
The most significant thing is that the Ambasador had to come to Bani Gala; BB, NS, Maulana Fazl always met the ambassador at the Embassy. Imran also refused to meet Olson's boss, John Kerry, until Kerry agreed to hold it in neutral territory. May be the total blackout of the PTI's historic sit-in in NATO's corporate print and broadcast media will now be over, and may be the anti-Imran twitterati (blatantly on the payroll of the United States Information Service (USIS)) will now be silenced? Let's see..
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Nov 23, 2014 11:35am
may be US asked him sorry we donot want to change NS, he is good job for us by doing nothing
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Nov 23, 2014 11:38am
It showes that IK has a plan with the USA and the Army they are all planing for the future of Pakistan. Ik will do any thing to get to that power.
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Nov 23, 2014 01:05pm
Mr Nawaz Sharif, sleepless, right ? but indeed IK will not bow to USA / your hidden antics.. he will not sell himself like others.. whatever you do, you will be defeated for once and all..sooner.
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Nov 23, 2014 02:38pm
@a ali keep dreaming it is already done .
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Nov 23, 2014 04:09pm
@Mirza - sorry sir, dharna was/is for poor people; it is for 'elected' people, and I don't think poor in Pak go for elections.
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Nov 23, 2014 04:44pm
Folks NO one would be elected/ selected in this country. unless strongly supported by our mentor... it is always the international politics that counts not the internal one... internal politics is for useless guys like us...... international politics knows no favor, it is all about who they can use....and who has become useless...
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Nov 23, 2014 04:51pm
People making so much fuss about IK's meeting with US embassador while most other Pakistani politicians perhaps don't go for toilet break before first checking with the US embassador.
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Nov 24, 2014 06:35am
@Shahid America wants Sharif to stay in power as it is easy to control corrupt ruler than an honest leader. Army Chief might have told US that there is a limit to corruption and lies and Shareefs have to go as they can never change and Nawaz told US that until he is sure of getting 'taaza Nihari' in Saudi or US or London he is going no where.
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Nov 26, 2014 03:38pm
It's obvious what's going on, the Americans only meet someone when they are backing or supporting them. This is the green light for IK, to say we are behind you. Put two and two together, the army chief is called to US and now the IK & US ambassador meeting. This is a build up to a military coupe and over throw of the current government. Nov 30 is looking like a bad day for the country. By the way I'm not a nawaz or imran supporter. I just want a stable Pakistan. Who ever it may be....
All that the Americans & Israelis want to do is destabilise the country and take over our nuclear weapons by creating a civil war.
Via there puppets IK & qadri
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