New information has emerged about Imran Khan’s visit to Russia before his ouster
Last Updated on February 24, 2025 6:27 am
New details of secret talks have emerged ahead of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s February 2022 visit to Russia.
Official accounts and internal sources suggest that the then Pakistani government dismissed concerns about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine despite receiving hints from US intelligence agencies.
Three years later, the visit remains an important reference point for Pakistan’s political discussions and its diplomatic stance on global conflicts.
Days before former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia, Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yousuf received a call from US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan. Sullivan shared important intelligence about Russia’s plans, which Pakistan rejected.
Yousuf has expressed distrust of US intel and questioned whether it was as false as the claim of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which was later proven false.
The Pakistani side has expressed doubts about US intelligence about Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. Background briefings, discussions and interviews with Pakistani officials revealed this information.
Imran Khan’s decision to visit Russia came at a time when international media was predicting that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time. This correspondent contacted government officials, former ministers and security officials to find out whether the military establishment or the State Department had advised him against the trip.
A source said that the then Prime Minister Khan had sought advice from the then Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on whether to visit Russia and on Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine.
The source said that the military establishment had agreed to Imran’s visit and told him that they had no credible information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A source said that Pakistan had intelligence that Russia had sent troops to Ukraine, but there was no evidence of their logistical support. This suggests that Russia is not planning to invade Ukraine so soon, as an actual invasion would require logistical maneuvering, the source explained.
The source added that in military terms, the move could be seen as a threat but not an actual invasion. Based on Russian military planning, the Pakistani side was confident that an invasion was not imminent and that Imran Khan’s visit at that time would not be detrimental.
In addition to Pakistani intelligence, Khan’s team received a call from the United States, which indicated that Russia would invade Ukraine. US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan called Yousuf and asked, “Is your prime minister going to Russia?”
Yousuf replied, “Yes.” After that, Sullivan relayed intelligence about Russia’s plans but Pakistani officials dismissed the warning.
The sources added that despite ignoring US intelligence, Imran Khan launched an invasion of Ukraine soon after his visit to Moscow, which put him and his delegation in a difficult position.
US President Donald Trump’s comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have also sparked controversy in Pakistan. To remain relevant in the Russia-Ukraine context, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that Khan was right about Russia.
PTI leaders have accused former army chief Bajwa of betraying Khan over his policy on Russia.
To cover up the embarrassment of his Russia visit, Imran Khan has claimed that he signed a deal to import cheap oil and was being punished for siding with Russia.
However, sources said, “There was no oil import deal with Russia and the military never advised Khan against the visit.” The source added, “In fact, the top military leadership supported Khan’s visit.”
Source: GeoNews