Defense Minister Rejects Possibility of Imran Khan’s Extradition from the US

Islamabad: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has dismissed the possibility of former Prime Minister Imran Khan being extradited from the United States, stating that it is unlikely that former US President Donald Trump would intervene to secure Khan’s release.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Khawaja Asif refuted claims that a phone call from the US could result in Imran Khan being handed over to the US, emphasizing that Pakistan would not dare to reject such a call. He compared the current situation to past incidents, saying that when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was offered a deal worth $5 billion, he refused and even carried out nuclear tests. On the other hand, former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, when called by the US, agreed to terms beyond what was initially demanded.
Khawaja Asif also stated that the war following the 9/11 attacks has ended and that there is peace in Afghanistan; however, Pakistan continues to face the consequences of terrorism. He pointed out that those who give such statements are the same people who sided with Musharraf when he surrendered and with Nawaz Sharif when he made defiant decisions.
Further discussing US-Pakistan relations, Khawaja Asif emphasized that while Pakistan will cooperate with the United States when necessary, it will not hesitate to express strong disagreements when required. Regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, the Minister called for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized the need for the new Trump administration to take action to end Israeli atrocities in the region.
The Minister concluded by reiterating that no country would risk damaging its bilateral relations with the US over the fate of one individual, and that the US establishment remains powerful, even more so than Pakistan’s.