A controversial revelation has emerged in the 'cypher' case which reportedly led to now jailing of Imran Khan's ouster as prime minister. This has raised several questions including the timing of the revelation. A report by a US-based news publication, the intercept, is substantiating some of Imran Khan's claims the report says the US. Was secretly pressurising the Pakistan government to remove Khan from his position over his neutrality on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is according to a classified Pakistani government document

Did US compromise Pakistan's democracy?

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-embarks-on-3-day-visit-to-us-will-hold-talks-with-donald-trump-237208">three-day visit to the US</a>&nbsp;is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-raise-paks-human-rights-abuse-issue-during-meeting-with-imran-khan-237318">Khan will meet US President Donald Trump </a>on July 22.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, earlier this week, described PM Imran Khan's visit to the United States as "a move from isolation to an invitation".

Khan and Trump have, however, met before on Twitter and indulged in a war of words.&nbsp;

Twitter spat

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump had tweeted earlier last year.

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The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The stand was reiterated in several interviews by the US President.

Eventually, Imran Khan - who had stormed to power on the back of the promise of 'Naya Pakistan' - was forced to hit back. In a series of tweets last year in November, he said, "Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war and over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion."

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Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war &amp; over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064482777054220289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's dwindling economy

To turn Pakistan's cash-strapped economy around, Imran Khan made state visits to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia in a bid to get investments.

But such is the debt trap which Pakistan is caught in, it has again, for the thirteenth time been forced to accept a $6 billion bailout by the IMF. To cut down on expenses, Imran Khan has embarked on an austerity drive.

He is, in fact, travelling to the United States this time round in a commercial flight and will stay at the Ambassador's residence.

Mission United States

Accompanied by his army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Imran Khan's agenda on his US trip is primarily focused on resuming military training programs with the US, getting permission to purchase spare parts for F-16 jets, assistance from the US to get off the FATF greylist and getting more loans to boost Pakistan's dwindling economy.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;US lawmakers have written to US President Donald Trump, urging him to raise the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-raise-paks-human-rights-abuse-issue-during-meeting-with-imran-khan-237318">issue of human rights abuses in Pakistan's Sindh</a> - including enforced disappearances - during his upcoming meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a letter addressed to Trump on July 19, the lawmakers highlight that human rights abuses, at the hands of the authorities, continue to prevail in the Pakistani province, despite Washington having provided more than $30 billion in aid to the South Asian country.

The aid, according to them, was supposed to improve social and economic conditions in Pakistan, as well as promote good governance - improvements that have not occurred.

&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's three-day visit to the US is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries. Khan will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22.

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's three-day visit to the US is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries. Khan will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, earlier this week, described PM Imran Khan's visit to the United States as "a move from isolation to an invitation". Khan and Trump have, however, met before on Twitter and indulged in a war of words. Twitter spat "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump had tweeted earlier last year. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × The stand was reiterated in several interviews by the US President. Eventually, Imran Khan - who had stormed to power on the back of the promise of 'Naya Pakistan' - was forced to hit back. In a series of tweets last year in November, he said, "Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war and over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion." Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war & over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pakistan's dwindling economy To turn Pakistan's cash-strapped economy around, Imran Khan made state visits to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia in a bid to get investments. But such is the debt trap which Pakistan is caught in, it has again, for the thirteenth time been forced to accept a $6 billion bailout by the IMF. To cut down on expenses, Imran Khan has embarked on an austerity drive. He is, in fact, travelling to the United States this time round in a commercial flight and will stay at the Ambassador's residence. Mission United States Accompanied by his army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Imran Khan's agenda on his US trip is primarily focused on resuming military training programs with the US, getting permission to purchase spare parts for F-16 jets, assistance from the US to get off the FATF greylist and getting more loans to boost Pakistan's dwindling economy. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have written to US President Donald Trump, urging him to raise the issue of human rights abuses in Pakistan's Sindh - including enforced disappearances - during his upcoming meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a letter addressed to Trump on July 19, the lawmakers highlight that human rights abuses, at the hands of the authorities, continue to prevail in the Pakistani province, despite Washington having provided more than $30 billion in aid to the South Asian country. The aid, according to them, was supposed to improve social and economic conditions in Pakistan, as well as promote good governance - improvements that have not occurred.

Imran Khan's US visit: Focus on resuming military training programs, exiting FATF greylist

The Pakistan government today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-no-longer-pay-pak-because-they-take-our-money-and-do-nothing-for-us-repeats-trump-178337">summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs </a>ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment&nbsp;alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011.

The Pakistan government<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-remains-a-critical-partner-to-us-south-asia-strategy-pentagon-178292"> said the accusation made by </a>President Trump was baseless rhetoric which was totally unacceptable.&nbsp;

Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan foreign secretary told ambassador Paul Jones that it was Pakistan’s intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of the al-Qaida chief.

The Pakistan foreign&nbsp;secretary&nbsp;Tehmina Janjua told the US Charge de’ Affairs that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

President Trump in a US television programme had said that the US had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do "a damn thing" for the United States. The US president repeated his comments in a Twitter tirade asserting that "we paid Pakistan billions of dollars &amp; they never told us he was living there. Fools!"

"Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did," the US president added in his tweet.

The US currently does not have an ambassador&nbsp;in Pakistan, the previous ambassador David Hales’s tenure had ended and the US foreign affairs committee had delayed naming an ambassador to Pakistan, therefore the Charge de’ Affairs Paul Jones is currently in charge.

The US must not forget that scores of top al-Qaida leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation, the foreign secretary told the US Charge de’ Affairs, adding that Pakistan’s continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan through Ground, air and sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical" to the success of the mission in Afghanistan.

"In the wake of recent US pronouncements to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US have been working in close coordination with other regional stakeholders in order to end the prolonged conflict. At this critical juncture, baseless allegations about a closed chapter of history could seriously undermine this vital cooperation," the Pakistan foreign secretary said.

After President Trump lashed out at Pakistan, PM Imran Khan had retorted saying that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy and the US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion." 
&nbsp;

The Pakistan government today summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011.

The Pakistan government today summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011. The Pakistan government said the accusation made by President Trump was baseless rhetoric which was totally unacceptable. Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan foreign secretary told ambassador Paul Jones that it was Pakistan’s intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of the al-Qaida chief. The Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua told the US Charge de’ Affairs that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. President Trump in a US television programme had said that the US had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do "a damn thing" for the United States. The US president repeated his comments in a Twitter tirade asserting that "we paid Pakistan billions of dollars & they never told us he was living there. Fools!" "Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did," the US president added in his tweet. The US currently does not have an ambassador in Pakistan, the previous ambassador David Hales’s tenure had ended and the US foreign affairs committee had delayed naming an ambassador to Pakistan, therefore the Charge de’ Affairs Paul Jones is currently in charge. The US must not forget that scores of top al-Qaida leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation, the foreign secretary told the US Charge de’ Affairs, adding that Pakistan’s continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan through Ground, air and sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical" to the success of the mission in Afghanistan. "In the wake of recent US pronouncements to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US have been working in close coordination with other regional stakeholders in order to end the prolonged conflict. At this critical juncture, baseless allegations about a closed chapter of history could seriously undermine this vital cooperation," the Pakistan foreign secretary said. After President Trump lashed out at Pakistan, PM Imran Khan had retorted saying that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy and the US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion."

Pakistan summons US ambassador over Trump's Osama bin Laden comment

Asserting that the Taliban and the Haqqani network enjoy safe havens in the border regions of Pakistan, a top US Army General today told the lawmakers that it was very difficult to contain insurgency in war-torn Afghanistan if Islamabad continues to harbour terrorists on its soil.

"It's very, very difficult to eliminate any insurgency if that insurgency has safe haven in another country. But right now, the Taliban, the Haqqanis and other organisations do, in fact, enjoy some safe haven in the border regions on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan has got to be part of the solution," General Mark A Milley, Chief of Staff of the US Army, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said to the end insurgency in Afghanistan, it was important to reduce the threat of terrorism something that can be handled on a routine basis by the internal security forces.

"In order to do that, you have to essentially do several things. You mentioned Pakistan. That is key. It's important that Pakistan is part of the solution. It's a regional solution. Part of our strategy is a regional strategy. That very much involves Pakistan," Milley said.

Responding to a question on reconciliation, he said the Afghan government was on the path right now to establish some sort of political reconciliation with various opponent groups. US is in support of that effort, Milley added.

"So it's important that we realign the forces, that we reinforce the capabilities that we're already doing, and that we regionalise the problem, including Pakistan, and that there's some sort of reconciliation process. At the end of the day, that's how that ends, and it ends successfully, and I believe that's achievable,' the General said.

Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan.

One of the American objectives since 2001 has been that Afghanistan no longer was a platform for terrorists to conduct strikes on the continental United States, or in the United States.

"That's key. That's why we're there, and that's why we're still there," he said, adding that this can be achieved through a stable Afghanistan.

"So what does that look like? It means that the armed opposition, the Taliban, Haqqani network, Al-Qaida, ISIS, K and all these other groups are reduced in terms of capability that they no longer present an existential threat to the regime in Kabul, and that the Afghan National Security Forces are at large," he said.

"Their army, their police, their intelligence forces can handle the violent threat against the regime at a level that is something akin to crime or banditry," Milley said. 
&nbsp

Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan.

Asserting that the Taliban and the Haqqani network enjoy safe havens in the border regions of Pakistan, a top US Army General today told the lawmakers that it was very difficult to contain insurgency in war-torn Afghanistan if Islamabad continues to harbour terrorists on its soil. "It's very, very difficult to eliminate any insurgency if that insurgency has safe haven in another country. But right now, the Taliban, the Haqqanis and other organisations do, in fact, enjoy some safe haven in the border regions on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan has got to be part of the solution," General Mark A Milley, Chief of Staff of the US Army, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said to the end insurgency in Afghanistan, it was important to reduce the threat of terrorism something that can be handled on a routine basis by the internal security forces. "In order to do that, you have to essentially do several things. You mentioned Pakistan. That is key. It's important that Pakistan is part of the solution. It's a regional solution. Part of our strategy is a regional strategy. That very much involves Pakistan," Milley said. Responding to a question on reconciliation, he said the Afghan government was on the path right now to establish some sort of political reconciliation with various opponent groups. US is in support of that effort, Milley added. "So it's important that we realign the forces, that we reinforce the capabilities that we're already doing, and that we regionalise the problem, including Pakistan, and that there's some sort of reconciliation process. At the end of the day, that's how that ends, and it ends successfully, and I believe that's achievable,' the General said. Milley said it was in the national security interest of the United States to maintain troops in Afghanistan. One of the American objectives since 2001 has been that Afghanistan no longer was a platform for terrorists to conduct strikes on the continental United States, or in the United States. "That's key. That's why we're there, and that's why we're still there," he said, adding that this can be achieved through a stable Afghanistan. "So what does that look like? It means that the armed opposition, the Taliban, Haqqani network, Al-Qaida, ISIS, K and all these other groups are reduced in terms of capability that they no longer present an existential threat to the regime in Kabul, and that the Afghan National Security Forces are at large," he said. "Their army, their police, their intelligence forces can handle the violent threat against the regime at a level that is something akin to crime or banditry," Milley said.

Taliban, Haqqani Network enjoy safe haven in Pak border region: US Army chief of staff to lawmakers

Two Pakistani businessmen have pleaded guilty before a US court to money laundering in connection with funds they received for the unlawful export of goods to Pakistan.

Muhammad Ismail, 67, and Kamran Khan 38, now face a maximum jail term of 20 years.

Since the time of their arrests in December 2016, Ismail has been released on a $50,000 bond, and Kamran Khan has been released on a $100,000 bond.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2012 to December 2016, Ismail, and his two sons, Kamran and Imran Khan, were engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan, in violation of the EAR.

Imran, 43, has already pleaded guilty to violating US export laws.

Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA, and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, the three defendants received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the EAR.

When US manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, they either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the US or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported, federal prosecutors said.

After the products were purchased, they were shipped by the manufacturer to them in Connecticut.

The products were then shipped to Pakistan on behalf of either the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Pakistan Space &amp; Upper Atmosphere Research Commission or the National Institute of Lasers &amp; Optronics, all of which were listed on the US Department of Commerce Entity List.

The Entity List identifies foreign parties that are prohibited from receiving some or all items subject to the EAR unless the exporter secures a license.

They never obtained a license to export any item to the designated entities even though they knew that a license was required prior to export.&nbsp;

Two Pakistani businessmen have pleaded guilty before a US court to money laundering in connection with funds they received for the unlawful export of goods to Pakistan

Two Pakistani businessmen have pleaded guilty before a US court to money laundering in connection with funds they received for the unlawful export of goods to Pakistan. Muhammad Ismail, 67, and Kamran Khan 38, now face a maximum jail term of 20 years. Since the time of their arrests in December 2016, Ismail has been released on a $50,000 bond, and Kamran Khan has been released on a $100,000 bond. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2012 to December 2016, Ismail, and his two sons, Kamran and Imran Khan, were engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan, in violation of the EAR. Imran, 43, has already pleaded guilty to violating US export laws. Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA, and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, the three defendants received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the EAR. When US manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, they either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the US or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported, federal prosecutors said. After the products were purchased, they were shipped by the manufacturer to them in Connecticut. The products were then shipped to Pakistan on behalf of either the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission or the National Institute of Lasers & Optronics, all of which were listed on the US Department of Commerce Entity List. The Entity List identifies foreign parties that are prohibited from receiving some or all items subject to the EAR unless the exporter secures a license. They never obtained a license to export any item to the designated entities even though they knew that a license was required prior to export.

Pakistani businessmen plead guilty to money laundering in the US

The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today.

&quot;The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground,&quot; Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference.

She said the effort was to broaden the relationship between the two countries.

&quot;As he said, no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis. So again, this is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunities. I think there are opportunities. I think his trip showed that&quot; White said.

She was responding to a question on Mattis conversation with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad on Monday.

&quot;Terrorism. I mean, the threat of terrorism, I mean everyone has, Pakistan has an interest in ensuring that terrorism is defeated. They&#39;ve lost thousands of troops, and they&#39;ve lost thousands of innocents as well,&quot; White said.

The Pentagon chief spokesperson said it was in the interest of Pakistan and the US to find a lasting solution to the Afghanistan problem.

&quot;It is in the interests of Pakistan, the US, the region to ensure that we can encourage that Afghanistan has a political reconciliation. So we&#39;ll look for ways to work with Pakistanis to find that common ground and move forward,&quot; White said.

Mattis had on Monday asked Pakistan to &quot;redouble&quot; efforts to confront militants operating from its soil.

"The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground," Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White said.

The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today. "The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground," Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference. She said the effort was to broaden the relationship between the two countries. "As he said, no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis. So again, this is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunities. I think there are opportunities. I think his trip showed that" White said. She was responding to a question on Mattis conversation with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad on Monday. "Terrorism. I mean, the threat of terrorism, I mean everyone has, Pakistan has an interest in ensuring that terrorism is defeated. They've lost thousands of troops, and they've lost thousands of innocents as well," White said. The Pentagon chief spokesperson said it was in the interest of Pakistan and the US to find a lasting solution to the Afghanistan problem. "It is in the interests of Pakistan, the US, the region to ensure that we can encourage that Afghanistan has a political reconciliation. So we'll look for ways to work with Pakistanis to find that common ground and move forward," White said. Mattis had on Monday asked Pakistan to "redouble" efforts to confront militants operating from its soil.

Mattis meeting with Pakistan leaders was to find common ground in fight against terror: Pentagon

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Did US compromise Pakistan's democracy?

Imran Khan's US visit: Focus on resuming military training programs, exiting FATF greylist

Pakistan summons US ambassador over Trump's Osama bin Laden comment

Taliban, Haqqani Network enjoy safe haven in Pak border region: US Army chief of staff to lawmakers

Taliban, Haqqani Network enjoy safe haven in Pak border region: US Army chief of staff to lawmakers

Pakistani businessmen plead guilty to money laundering in the US

Mattis meeting with Pakistan leaders was to find common ground in fight against terror: Pentagon