Grenell may have been misled into supporting Imran: US investors delegation chief

LONDON/ISLAMABAD: Texas hedge fund manager and a close associate of Trump family says President Donald Trump’s aide Richard Grenell “may have been misled” over his support for the release of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan’s campaign by a lobby working in the United States.

Gentry Beach, who is in Islamabad leading a business delegation, said he was sure Grenell had a much better understanding of the complicated issues facing Pakistanis and that may have been the reason he had stopped tweeting in support of PTI.

Grenell, who is working closely with President Trump, has deleted dozens of tweets he did in support of Imran, but two tweets remain on his timeline.

Beach, during an interview in Islamabad, said, “Richard Grenell is one of the finest Americans that I have ever met. He gets more done in a week than most people do in a year. He is absolutely effective, incredibly smart and humble. I am in awe of ambassador Grenell. I would say I do believe he may have been misled around some of these issues by certain individuals.”

Beach claimed that there was a lobby in the US that spent $2 to $3 million per month “related to Imran Khan”. “I am not an expert on these things but I do believe that Grenell has a better understanding of the true evidence today than before. He has a better understanding now.”

Beach said he would be surprised if Grenell started tweeting again. “I do believe he’s supportive of the American interests here. I do believe he’s supportive of the current administration, and business people like myself who are trying to make bridges. Currently, Grenell is having to clean the mess the Biden administration left behind all over the world. He is the perfect person to do this. I know Trump loves him dearly. He is a huge asset to the US.”

He added, “I spoke to him and he said he had a better understanding of facts now than before. I would be surprised if he retweeted or any of the things he was doing before. I think he understands it’s a much more complicated situation. He may have been misled by some individuals and he probably has a better understanding than before.”

A high-level United States investment delegation, led by Beach, is in Pakistan for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening the economic and bilateral ties. Beach, a close business associate of US President Donald Trump, is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing investment agreements between the two countries, sources said.

The visit comes shortly after the new US administration took office and is being seen as a significant diplomatic and economic breakthrough. During their stay, the delegation is set to finalise investment deals, opening avenues for collaboration in key sectors, including energy, technology, and infrastructure.

Sources familiar with the discussions highlight Beach’s presence as a key factor in fostering US investor confidence in Pakistan. Known for his active involvement in Trump’s election campaigns, his visit underscores renewed American interest in Pakistan’s business landscape. This marks the first visit by a US delegation since the transition of power in Washington, further adding to its significance.

The visit follows Beach’s recent remarks at an event in Mar-a-Lago, where he commended Pakistan for its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “Pakistan has made tremendous sacrifices, losing thousands of lives to terrorism, and deserves immense recognition for its efforts,” he stated. He also described Pakistan as an “incredible country” with strong potential for US investors, expressing optimism about future trade ties under the Trump administration.

“Pakistanis are ready to engage with the US on equal terms as partners and good friends,” he added. Beach urged President Trump to deepen cooperation with Pakistan, advocating stronger economic and strategic ties. “The US and Pakistan should work together as equal partners to drive mutual progress and strengthen their relationship,” he said.

APP reports: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to facilitating foreign investors by ensuring a conducive business environment, streamlined processes and robust institutional support.

The prime minister, in a meeting with an international investors delegation, led by leading US investor Gentry Beach, underscored the country’s unique appeal as a global investment destination, highlighting its strategic geographical location, skilled and youthful workforce and rapidly expanding consumer market, according to a PM Office press release.

Discussing Pakistan’s dynamic investment landscape and promising economic potential, he expressed gratitude for the delegation’s keen interest in exploring business opportunities in Pakistan.

Gentry Beach commended Pakistan’s immense economic potential and conveyed his delegation’s enthusiasm to explore diverse investment opportunities across key sectors, including mining and minerals, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and technology.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Abdul Aleem Khan, Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Ali Pervaiz Malik and SAPM Tariq Fatemi were also present in the meeting.

Muhammad Anis adds: US businessman Gentry Beach, leading a delegation of foreign investors, Wednesday said Pakistan and the United States have a history of relations but some efforts were being made to create misunderstandings between the two countries.

Talking to newsmen, Beach also pointed out that a true picture of Pakistan was not shown to the Americans in the past and the United States desired investment of billions of dollars in the country. He maintained that the incumbent leaderships of Pakistan and the United States had complete harmony.

He said Richard Grenell personally told him that he was misguided through ‘Artificial Intelligence’ on video through internet regarding publicity of the PTI founder. Gentry Beach said Richard Grenell also supports Pakistan’s justice system and he has better understanding of facts than before.

He said Trump was a very hardworking and outstanding president. Beach said Trump believed in economic diplomacy and they would help succeed his agenda of diplomacy. “My meetings with the Pakistani leadership have also been very successful and I met with some best people of the world in Pakistan,” he said. He pointed out that the US investors desired investment in Pakistan’s sectors of Artificial Intelligence, real estate and minerals.

Beach also mentioned that the US strategy and process regarding exit from Afghanistan during Biden’s period was not correct.