Lettergate

Lettergate[1] affair was set off from the conversation that took place on 7 March 2022 at a farewell lunch for the then Pakistani ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed Khan at his official residence, also known as Pakistan House.[2]

According to Dawn, sources say that although the meeting was a lunch, a note-taker also attended it. The diplomatic cable that Ambassador Khan later sent to Foreign Office of Pakistan was based on the notes taken by the note-taker, who was also from the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, D.C..[2] The lunch was attended by US officials including US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Secretary Lesslie Viguerie. The Pakistani side included Deputy Chief of Mission Syed Naveed Bokhari and the defence attaché.[2]

Timeline

On 27 March 2022, the then Prime Minister Imran Khan in a speech at Parade Ground in Islamabad said that "attempts are being made to influence our foreign policy from abroad. We have been aware of this conspiracy for months". He further stated that "attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan". PM Khan added that "we have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest. The letter I have is proof and I want to dare anyone who is doubting this letter".[3][4]

On 30 March 2022, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah disposed of a petition that sought a restraining order on the PM Khan from disclosing the contents of the confidential letter. The court stated that it "is confident that as an elected prime minister he would not disclose any information or act in breach of Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, nor the oath taken by him under the Constitution".[5]

On 31 March 2022, Pakistan's National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf briefed a meeting held by the National Security Committee (NSC) that was chaired by PM Khan.[6] Following which the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a statement saying that "the committee expressed grave concern at the communication, terming the language used by the foreign official as undiplomatic" and called it a "blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan by the country in question". The NSC decided that Pakistan will issue "a strong demarche to the country in question both in Islamabad and in the country's capital through proper channel in keeping with diplomatic norms," according to the PMO statement.[7]

Later in the day, the Foreign Office of Pakistan summoned an official of the United States embassy and handed over the requisite demarches.[8]


References
  1. "Lettergate: ISPR DG confirms there wasn't any conspiracy". The News International. 15 April 2022.
  2. "Farewell lunch triggered 'Lettergate' dispute". Dawn. 17 April 2022.
  3. "PM Imran says 'foreign-funded conspiracy' out to topple his govt, claims to have evidence in writing". Dawn. 27 March 2022.
  4. "PM says foreign powers conspiring to topple govt". The Express Tribune. 27 March 2022.
  5. "Revealing 'threat letter' will have consequences, IHC cautions PM". Dawn. 31 March 2022.
  6. "Protest lodged with US over 'threatening memo'". The Express Tribune. 31 March 2022.
  7. "NSC decides to issue strong demarche to unnamed country over 'threat letter'". Dawn. 1 April 2022.
  8. "Pakistan Sends US Demarche Over Alleged Political Meddling". Voice of America. 1 April 2022.
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