In NSC meeting, security agencies reiterate 'no foreign conspiracy' against PTI govt

• Pakistani diplomat attends NSC meeting convened by PM Shehbaz Sharif.
• Imran Khan had brandished a “threat letter” on March 27 at a public gathering claiming that his government was threatened by US.
• The US has rejected the allegations and said there is no truth in them.

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) Friday ruled out a foreign conspiracy behind the ouster of the PTI-led government in a setback to ex-prime minister Imran Khan's narrative of a "regime change conspiracy".

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired today's NSC meeting, and according to a statement from the PM Office, the telegram received from the Pakistan Embassy in Washington was discussed in detail.

Former Pakistani ambassador to Washington Dr Asad Majeed Khan briefed the meeting about the context of his diplomatic cable — that carried the alleged threat sent to the PTI government last month by US officials. 

"The NSC, after examining the contents of the communication, reaffirmed the decision of the last NSC meeting. The NSC was again informed by the premier security agencies that they have found no evidence of any conspiracy."

"Therefore, the NSC, after reviewing the contents of the communication, the assessment received, and the conclusions presented by the security agencies, concludes that there has been no foreign conspiracy."

The meeting was attended by the services chiefs and federal ministers.  

It should be recalled that former premier Khan, who was voted out through a no-confidence motion, had brandished a “threat letter” on March 27 at a public gathering before his ouster claiming that his government had been threatened by the US and the Opposition was involved in the conspiracy.

The PTI has claimed that the Imran Khan government was toppled because of the independent foreign policy and most recently due to the PM’s Russian visit.

The US had rejected the allegations and said there was no truth in them.

Not only this, but DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar had also rejected the perception of a foreign conspiracy behind the no-trust motion.

Addressing a press conference on April 14, the military spokesperson had clarified that the word "conspiracy" was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the NSC last month.

The military’s spokesperson had said he cannot discuss what was discussed in the meeting but noted that the word "conspiracy" was not used.

The NSC meeting was called on March 31 by former prime minister Imran Khan to discuss the matter. All the services chiefs and DG ISI had also attended the huddle.

PM Shehbaz, soon after taking becoming the prime minister, had also said that the government will summon a meeting of the Parliament’s National Security Committee where the military leadership will brief the lawmakers.