Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and the former prime minister has said that he wants to mend relations with Washington and he no longer blamed the US and wants a dignified relationship if re-elected.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Imran said, “As far as I’m concerned it’s over, it’s behind me.” He also admitted that Russia’s visit was a mistake at that time. He said that he had visited Russia after consulting all stakeholders. He further added that Pakistan Army could play a constructive role in his future plans.
He said, “Neutrals had told me that it was a suitable time to pay a visit to Russia. I was unaware that Russia would attack Ukraine. There are different points of view of Russia and the West.”
He also added that Pakistan needed Russia for cheaper gas, oil, wheat and military hardware. He said that he had rejected bases in the US and had visited Russia despite US’s opposition.
Despite continuing to hold the view that a US conspiracy was behind his removal as prime minister PTI Chairman has expressed a desire to improve relations with the United States through future cooperation with Washington.
Khan allegedly stated that the plot “was over.” He said that we had been treated like hired guns and relationship with the US has been one of master-servant or master-slave. He further said that more than the US he would blame the administrations of Pakistan for that.
Imran also criticized the IMF program for promoting austerity measures like rising gasoline prices at a time of excruciating inflation. The initiative was first launched during Imran’s administration in 2019 but was renewed by the PML-N-led coalition government.
He said, “How are you meant to pay off your loans since your loans keep growing when you contract the economy and some of the IMF initiatives make your economy shrink.”
