His remarks came on a day Pakistan summoned a senior US diplomat in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest over the US’s alleged “interference” in its internal affairs, according to PTI news agency.
The US State Department on Thursday rejected Khan’s remarks in a live address to the nation, in which he accused Washington of allegedly plotting to topple his government of nearly four years. Khan, 69, discussed a “threat letter” and called it a “foreign conspiracy” to remove him for pursuing an independent foreign policy.
Khan did not name a “powerful country” during his speech at Friday’s event- Islamabad Security Dialogue. But he said an ally of the unidentified country, India, was importing oil from Russia because the West was trying to impose sanctions on Moscow after it invaded Ukraine.
“Today, I read the statement of the British Foreign Secretary that they cannot say anything to India because it has an independent foreign policy. I do not blame them (the West) for this support, but then what are we?” He said that the blame lies with Pakistan. “It is our fault. No country is respected until it stands on its own feet,” Khan said.
He then praised India, saying: “They defend their independent foreign policy that focuses on its people.” This was the second time in recent times that Khan publicly commended India for its foreign policy. On March 21, he praised India for buying oil from sanctions-hit Russia to protect the interests of its people.
Khan’s rivals were quick to respond. Shahbaz SharifThe Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly said he was shocked by the way Khan had put the country’s global interests at risk.
“His repeated praise for the foreign policy of Narendra Modi is an insult to the sacrifice of brave Kashmiris to Hindutva. Among other things, the damage done to our foreign policy cannot be counted,” Sharif posted on Twitter.
A defiant Khan also quickly retorted: “Those (Shehbaz) who are preparing to go to the PM’s office are giving interviews that my statement will anger America, and Pakistan cannot survive without its support.” ”
He said that the decisions of past politicians have created such a situation that no foreign country respects Pakistan. “They give us orders. They (US) say that if the no-confidence motion is not successful, there will be consequences for Pakistan.
He said his government pursued an independent foreign policy and did not partake of “block politics to achieve common objectives”.