The recently released Epstein Files by the U.S. Department of Justice have revealed the names of influential figures from around the world, including some references to Pakistan. Among those mentioned are PTI founder Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
The files, linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, include details of his network, contacts, meetings, and email correspondence. They feature hundreds of politicians, business leaders, and high-profile global personalities, though not all mentions carry the same weight or significance.
According to media reports, references to Pakistan are limited and mostly superficial, and are considered minor compared to other major global revelations. Nevertheless, the inclusion of Pakistani figures has attracted attention.
Some emails between Epstein and teams of Microsoft founder Bill Gates referenced polio eradication programs. The correspondence also mentioned Boris Nikolic, a former advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In one email, an unnamed individual informed Epstein about attacks on polio teams in Pakistan and Nigeria, questioning potential involvement. Another email indicated that Gates was unhappy with a Pakistani media report mentioning a possible phone conversation with Imran Khan, fearing it could impact polio campaigns.
The files also include a 2010 email between Epstein and a senior JP Morgan official, which referenced private meetings with foreign figures, reportedly including then-Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Additionally, a September 2018 email from Jade Zitlen of Goldman Sachs compared Imran Khan’s leadership to a slow car accident, despite support from China—a personal opinion included in the files.
Non-political references to Pakistan also appeared, such as Epstein expressing a preference for Pakistani shalwar kameez and tracking shipments of the clothing.
U.S. media reports note that President Donald Trump is mentioned several times in the files; however, he has stated that the newly released documents contain no evidence of illegal activity and that the files exonerate him from allegations.
