Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan heaped praise on the Indian government and said India’s foreign policy is independent and for the betterment of its people.
In a video, Pakistan PM Imran Khan could be heard saying, “Main aaj Hindustan ko daad deta hun (Today, I salute India). It has always maintained an independent foreign policy.”
“India is a member of Quad alliance, with the United States as one of its members. But India still calls itself neutral. India is importing oil from Russia, which is facing sanctions. This is because India’s foreign policy is for its people,” Imran Khan said.
I salute India for pursuing an independent foreign policy always, today India is an ally of USA and Russia at the same time: PM Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/hJZcfMQRan
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 20, 2022
In his address to a public rally in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Imran Khan told his supporters that his foreign policy would also favour the people of Pakistan.
“I haven’t bowed before anyone and will not let my nation bow either,” said Khan, who is rallying public support ahead of a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament.
Breaking from the tradition of not openly discussing complicated matters relating to foreign relations in public rallies, Khan mentioned that he had said “absolutely not” to the EU envoys seeking Pakistan’s support against Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict because “they broke protocol by making the request”.
Imran Khan said that Pakistan would have gained nothing by complying with the EU’s request.
“We became part of America’s war against terror in Afghanistan and lost 80,000 people and USD 100 billion,” he said.
Imran Khan’s remark comes even as he faces the threat of being unseated from power as several lawmakers from the ruling party withdrew their support for the Pakistan PM ahead of a no-confidence vote.
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Around 100 lawmakers from two opposition parties– the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)– submitted a no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.
The National Assembly session for the move is expected to be convened on March 21 and the voting is likely to be held on March 25.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan asked his supporters to have faith and not be concerned about “tricks and cheaters”.
“Message to my workers and supporters: The crooks and traitors of our country are falling in a trap,” he tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI)
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