In response to an “ongoing troll marketing campaign” accusing PPP Senator Sherry Rehman of misusing US funds obtained by the Jinnah Institute (JI), the lawmaker’s workplace rebuffed the allegations in an in depth assertion on X.
The controversy arose after a tweet by former US diplomat and US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee as envoy for particular missions Richard Grenell, who claimed Rehman had been “uncovered” for receiving funds from the Nationwide Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Grenell on X (previously Twitter) backed the allegations that Rehman obtained practically half 1,000,000 {dollars} from the NED, saying: “What a waste of US taxpayer cash. Sherry has been uncovered.”
The senator’s workplace on X deal with (@SRehmanOffice) responded swiftly, categorically denying the allegations in a sequence of posts.
The workforce clarified that Rehman had neither accused Grenell of lobbying nor prompt impropriety in his actions.
As a substitute, they emphasised the significance of awaiting an institutional response, stating, “There’s nothing to ‘expose.’”
The assertion additionally confused Jinnah Institute’s long-standing dedication to transparency and rigorous monetary oversight. “What precisely does ‘uncovered’ indicate? Nothing has been ‘hidden’. Jinnah Institute has a historical past of due diligence, transparency, audited accounts with distinguished donors. None of it implies ‘publicity’ or any effort to cowl something,” they famous.
“She has by no means even drawn a wage from JI,” the assertion added.
Rehman’s workforce highlighted her in depth profession as a journalist, diplomat, and parliamentarian, throughout which she has persistently upheld ideas of transparency and democratic governance. “She [Sherry Rehman] has all the time been a proponent of excellent relations between the 2 nations. No matter who’s in energy in both nation,” the assertion added.
The Jinnah Institute is recognised as a assume tank devoted to selling democratic values, regional stability, and progressive coverage dialogues in Pakistan.
Grenell’s remarks come amidst rising tensions in US-Pakistan relations, along with his latest statements aligning with requires the discharge of Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
The PTI occasion has welcomed Grenell’s feedback, whereas the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emphasised the significance of respecting Pakistan’s sovereignty.