Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan said Pakistan was “humiliated” by India during Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Goa for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.
Criticisms Against Zardari, Jaishankar
Speaking at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) rally on Monday, Khan said that Zardari’s visit to India was “a basis of shame” for Pakistanis. He questioned the benefit of the trip, which Zardari embarked on using the country’s taxes and funds. To this end, Khan highlighted, “Pakistan’s Foreign Minister should have calculated the cost-benefit ratio before embarking on this diplomatically risky journey.”
“Starting next week, I’m starting Jalsas again. We will never let them break Constitution and run away from elections”-@ImranKhanPTI #I_StandWithSupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/vo3Oby8t61
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 6, 2023
Khan highlighted the critical remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, wherein the EAM called Zardari a “promoter, justifier, and spokesperson” for terrorism. Meanwhile, Zardari had criticised Jaishankar’s digs at Pakistan, demanding that the issue of terrorism not be “weaponised” for scoring diplomatic points.
In light of Jaishankar’s comments, Khan blasted the EAM, questioning his “culture or etiquette” in the way he treated a guest in his country. He emphasised India’s “arrogance” in inviting a Pakistani minister to India and humiliating them. In this regard, Khan said, “India should have a little courtesy,” and know that the powerful do not remain so forever.
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s UK Trip
Khan further criticised PM Shehbaz Sharif for visiting the UK to attend King Charles III’s coronation ceremony, despite the country’s political and economic crisis.
He questioned how Sharif had the time for the visit, given that six soldiers and seven teachers were killed in a shooting in Parachinar just two days before the trip. In addition, he stressed that inflation in Pakistan was also three times higher than when the PTI was in power, adding to the citizens’ distress.
It is deeply troubling how the PTI tried to generate a controversy around Pakistan's participation in the SCO's meeting in India. It shouldn't be surprising though as Imran Niazi has had no qualms about imperiling the country's vital foreign policy interests in the past too. This…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 6, 2023
In response, Sharif said that Khan’s politicisation of the SCO meeting is “deeply troubling.” Nevertheless, he highlighted that Khan and his government did not shy away from “imperiling the country’s vital foreign policy interest” during their tenure when they used their international relations as a “plaything.”
The former PM has announced regular rallies across the country till the upcoming Punjab elections, scheduled for 14 May. During the protests, Khan has vowed to challenge the “rulers and their handlers,” who he said, “flout the Constitution and usurp citizens’ fundamental rights.”