By: Asem Mustafa
Addressing a public meeting in Melsi, Prime Minister Imran Khan lashed out at European Union envoys who had written a letter to Pakistan to sever ties with Russia.
The Prime Minister made it clear in one liner to European Union representatives that Pakistan is not a slave to make decisions according to their wishes.
PM clearly remarked that Pakistan has been an ally of the United States and European countries and its role in bringing the peace back in the region should be acknowledged.
The prime minister reminded that Pakistan helped West during War on Terror and had he been in power, he would never have made Pakistan a party that has resulted in colossal damage to the nation in both loss of lives and material.
Islamophobia and freedom of expression is an issue where there is a difference of opinion between European societies and Muslim countries.
Pakistan respects democratic rights and human liberties but loathe any activity that may offend followers of Islam. The effects of the US propaganda campaign are profound. NATO nations have been allies of the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan and other armed conflicts. Russia and Ukraine are, in fact, at odds with each other. The United States and NATO are unwilling to keep their promises to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and they moved bit by bit by expanding their outreach by inducting more states into the cold-war era’s military alliance that made Russia cornered.
The process of making the newly independent states as part of NATO threatened Russian, and Ukraine tuned out to be last straw for Russia who reacted with military might and made it clear that no more expansion. But at the end it proved that United States and NATO countries gave unrealistic hopes to Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was in Russia at the time of the declaration of war and the same day, Pakistan discussed its independent foreign policy with the European Union and the United States who wanted Pakistan to abandon its diplomatic outreach to Russia.
The letter is unethical Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah MehmoodQureshi, National Security Adviser and Foreign Office briefed the ambassadors of European countries on their position in a reasonable manner.
It was also made clear that European Union remained silent on Islamophobia, it kept mum on Indian atrocities in Kashmir and on the contrary asked Pakistan to do more which is unacceptable.
Khan pointed out Pakistan’s independent Foreign Policy has irked the opposition leaders and their speeches and statements are contrary to the state policy in a bid to make themselves in a favourable position in the eyes of Europe and America.
The opposition leaders are of course using their constitutional freedom and taking advantage of political situation in difficult times, but pleasing the west at this point will result in the enslavement of Pakistan.
PM made it clear Pakistan’s stance is a principled and legitimate and it will no longer be a party to any conflict and her efforts must be acknowledged in making world at peace.