Islamabad: New US intelligence documents have been leaked on Discord messaging platform revealing conversations on Pakistan’s foreign policy matters between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and an unnamed aide.

In one internal memo titled ‘Pakistan’s Difficult Choices’, parts of which were published by Washington Post, Hina Rabbani Khar cautions that Pakistan should avoid giving impression of “Appeasing” West. She warns that country can no longer attempt to maintain middle ground between regional neighbour China and Washington. In memo, Khar argues that preserving Pakistan’s partnership with United States would ultimately sacrifice full benefits of its “Real strategic” partnership with China. Undated document does not specify how US obtained access to Khar’s memo, report published by Washington Post revealed. Leak of US intelligence documents, posted largely on social media websites, was believed to be most serious security breach since more than 700,000 documents, videos and diplomatic cables appeared on WikiLeaks website in 2010.

Episode embarrassed US by revealing its spying on allies, including Pakistan, and purported military vulnerabilities of Ukraine.  Leaked documents provide rare glimpse into private calculations made by influential regional powers such as India, Brazil, Pakistan and Egypt. Documents also offer new insights into obstacles that Biden administration faces in securing global support for its efforts.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 01 2023

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