Pakistan’s military stands with PTI government: PM Imran

ISLAMABAD: Acknowledging the relationship between Pakistan’s government and military, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that Pakistan armed forces stand with the PTI-led federal government.

“I honestly think it’s the most harmonious relationship, we have complete coordination, we work together, the military completely stands with government’s democratic policies,” he said in an exclusive interview with an international news channel today (Thursday).

He further said that Pakistan’s government and the armed forces were on the same page whether it came to the India policy or the peace progress in Afghanistan.

‘Relationship with Saudi Arabia and Kashmir issue’  

The premier reiterated that Saudi Arabia would always be a friend of Pakistan despite the recent criticism on Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC).

“Yes, we want OIC to play a bigger role in the Kashmir issue. However let me make it clear: Saudi Arabia will always be a friend of Pakistan,” he added.

Replying to a question regarding the lack of international support on the Kashmir issue, he said that Kashmir was a disputed territory between Pakistan and India. “Pakistan has raised the lingering dispute at all the forums and it will continue doing so,” he assured.

However, he warned that if the Kashmir conflict escalates and if it breaks into a conflict between India and Pakistan, it will have implications for the rest of the world. “Certain countries are not responding because they are worried about their commercial interests,” he remarked.

“They look upon India as a huge market, and so they are willing to ignore this huge travesty of justice taking place in the valley. However, it doesn’t mean we will sit down quietly. We will keep trying,” he added.

‘UAE-Israel relationship’

Reacting to the recent normalisation of ties between Israel and the UAE, PM Imran categorically said that any one-sided solution will not work.

“Israel must realise this, if they do not allow the Palestinians to have a just settlement, this issue will never get resolved. Even if some countries recognize Israel, it’s not going to die down,” he added.

PM Imran said the issue will just keep festering even if some countries recognize Israel as a state. “It’s in Israel’s interest that there should be a just settlement,” he reiterated.

‘Freedom of Press and Expression’

Replying to a question regarding freedom of media and expression, PM Imran said that blatant propaganda had taken place against his government. “In my two years of power, tell me how many journalists have been kidnapped in Pakistan,” he questioned.

“I have spent 20 years of my life in United Kingdom. I know what freedom of speech is. If some of the things against me or my ministers had happened in UK, we would have claimed millions of dollars in damages,” he informed.

The premier said, “Unfortunately, it’s us, the government and the ministers who feel unprotected. It’s not the media.”

Defining the intimidation word, he said that if a person publishes fake news about a prime minister and the prime minister takes him to court, it should not be called intimidation as it happens everywhere around the world.

Pakistan-China economic relationship

When asked about the status of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), PM Imran said Pakistan’s relationship with its ally was better than ever. “Pakistan’s economic future is linked to China,” he asserted.

“China is growing at a faster pace than any other country and Pakistan, you know, can really benefit from the way China has developed,” he added.

However, the Prime Minister clarified that that didn’t mean Islamabad was re-setting its ties with the United States. “Why does it have to be either or?” he questioned.

“All countries look at their own interests. Why can’t we have a good relationship with everyone?” he added.

“Pakistan had the best relationship with the US right now as the two were partners in peace in Afghanistan. I don’t see it as either China or the United States,” he concluded.