Former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad hit back at former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari after the latter called him a “double agent”.
Taking to Twitter, Khalilzad said the PPP co-chairman should “put the country first and honour the legacy of BB [Benazir Bhutto].”
Zardari said in an interview with senior journalist Hamid Mir on Geo News on Friday that Khalilzad was a “double agent” who was on “a payroll”.
During the interview, Zardari was questioned about the support Khalilzad had shown for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — the former ruling party led by Imran Khan.
In response, Zardari said that Khalilzad was a salaried person. “He is in a lobby and an agent. A double agent of CIA [Central Intelligence Agency].”
When asked about the negative things Khalilzad had written about Zardari in his book, he said: “Of course, why would he write anything good about me? They can’t tolerate anyone who has roots in the country, can save the country, or loves it. Obviously, he won’t write anything nice.”
Reacting to Zardari’s remarks, Khalilzad took to Twitter and wrote, “Responding to Pakistan’s “Mr. 10 Percent”: I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one’s agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan’s triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done.
“Mr. Ten Percent” should put country first and honor BB’s legacy, to preclude a meltdown that will hurt the 220 million people who – unlike him and others like him, do not own posh homes in several countries that they can run away to. The Pakistani establishment and the country’s political leaders must commit to rule of law, starting by not splitting the Supreme Court, but instead, implementing its decisions.”
Responding to Pakistan's "Mr. 10 Percent": I do not lobby for anyone or any country and am no one's agent. I have shared my sincere concern about Pakistan's triple crisis, which unfortunately is intensifying, and have suggested what should be done. "Mr. Ten Percent" should put…
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) April 15, 2023
