US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent nominee for Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, tagged a Geo News Story on X (formerly Twitter) that referred to him as “homosexual” and called for the release of founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan.
On December 16, Richard Grenell posted a screenshot of a Geo News Urdu article with a headline translated in English as “Homosexual Richard Grenell appointed as Trump’s envoy” with a caption: “I’ll say it again, @geonews_urdu: Free Imran Khan.”
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The post quickly went viral, with many PTI supporters and leaders applauding the US official for speaking out in favor of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Former US Congressman Matt Gaetz also shared Richard Grenell’s post, captioning it: “Free Imran Khan!”
Grenell, who previously served as the US ambassador to Germany, special presidential envoy for Serbia-Kosovo peace negotiations, and acting director of national intelligence during Trump’s administration, has gained a reputation for his outspoken and sometimes contentious diplomatic style, as reported by National Public Radio (NPR).
Grenell had previously expressed his support for Imran Khan on his official X account, a move that was celebrated by PTI supporters online.
Social media users flooded the platform with reactions following Grenell’s recent post. One user commented: “Respected Sir, heartiest congratulations on your new assignment. May you succeed and achieve your goals, Ameen. Imran Khan is our leader and has been in Adiala Jail for the last 18 months in fake, frivolous cases, like @realDonaldTrump. Thank you so much for raising your voice for IK.”
PTI leader Azhar Mashwani, currently in self-imposed exile, criticized Geo News, stating: “@geonews_urdu is Pakistan’s largest traditional news network, fully aligned with the brutal regime. Interestingly, many of these media outlets were recipients of substantial USAID media-buying funds between 2008-2014 under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act, spearheaded by then-Senator Joe Biden. For those who think Biden’s administration is agnostic on Pakistan, there’s ample evidence of clear political preferences, especially in the past three years.”
Another PTI leader, Zulfi Bukhari, reposted Grenell’s statement, writing: “250 million people chant the same. Free Imran Khan!”
Former President Arif Alvi also weighed in, describing the statement as “very positive” and reflecting a global sentiment. He wrote: “#Free_Imran_Khan. Imran Khan has spent over 500 days in jail on false, fabricated, and fictitious charges, stemming from the ignominious regime change. This has led to the destruction of civil liberties, mandate reversal, fascist torture, and subversion of the constitution and judiciary by Pakistan’s deep state.”
