The then US ambassador to Albania, present US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu (center) speaks during a civil society rally in Tirana on July 19, 2016. (PHOTO / AFP)

ISLAMABAD - The United States had exerted pressure to remove the then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022 due to his government's neutral policy on the Ukraine crisis, the online American magazine The Intercept revealed on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan arrested after jail term

The magazine said it obtained a classified Pakistani government cable about a dialogue between Pakistan's then-ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed Khan and US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu on March 7, 2022.

On Aug 5, former Pakistani PM Khan was sentenced to three years in prison and banned from holding any public office for five years

In the cable sent to Pakistan, Lu expressed his dissatisfaction with the foreign policy of the Pakistani government led by Khan and asserted that Pakistan would only be forgiven by the United States if the prime minister is removed through a no-confidence vote in the parliament.

ALSO READ: Ex-Pakistan PM Khan appears in court as fans clash with police

"I think if the no-confidence vote against the prime minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington... Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead," said Lu.

READ MORE: Pakistan's Khan: Committee to lead party if I'm arrested

According to media reports, on March 27, 2022, Khan, then-Pakistani prime minister, spoke publicly about the cable at a political rally in Islamabad, accusing the United States of hatching a conspiracy to overthrow his government. Days later, Khan told reporters that the Pakistani side regarded the US act as blatant interference in Pakistan's internal affairs.

READ MORE: Pakistan's top court orders immediate release of ex-PM Khan

On April 10, 2022, Pakistan's National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, passed a no-confidence motion against Khan.

On May 9, Khan was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau under alleged charges of corruption and corrupt practices. On Aug 5, he was sentenced to three years in prison and banned from holding any public office for five years.