Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has stated that party founder Imran Khan expressed optimism following Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the recently concluded presidential elections of the United States.
Imran believes Trump’s return could alleviate the “negativity” towards Pakistan that, according to the former federal minister, intensified under the Biden administration.
Speaking on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” on Wednesday, Ali revealed that when informed of Trump’s win, the party’s incarcerated founder noted the positive relations they shared during his own tenure as prime minister, contrasting it with what he described as interference and hostility from the government led by Joe Biden.
The PTI has long alleged US interference in Imran’s ouster as the prime minister in April 2022. “He [Imran] emphasised that under the Biden administration, there was interference in Pakistan’s [domestic] affairs; there was negativity.”
Trump recaptured the White House with a sweeping victory on Wednesday as tens of millions of Americans looked past his criminal charges and divisive rhetoric to embrace the Republican leader.
Trump, 78, clinched Tuesday’s election after a polarising and dizzying campaign marked by two attempts on his life and Kamala Harris’ late entry into the race following President Joe Biden’s surprise withdrawal.
Moving on, Ali added that the PTI’s overseas supporters see Trump’s return as potentially advantageous for Imran’s political position, hoping it could lessen political and diplomatic challenges.
There will definitely be an impact [once the Trump administration] takes charge. This is a good development if some positive people come into power with whom we’ve had good ties,” he elaborated.