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Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that Pakistan thinks that it is unfair of the US and other Western countries to ask other countries to take sides [in global conflicts] and that all states should enjoy positive relations with one another.
In an exclusive interview with LIU Xin of CGTN, the prime minister said Pakistan and China enjoy a “very special relationship” which spans over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties.
During the interview, Prime minister Khan spoke at length upon the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. “The relationship between Pakistan and China is very deep. It’s not just the governments, but it’s a people-to-people relationship,” the premier said.
The prime minister further said when Pakistan had been in trouble politically, internationally, or had conflicts with its neighbour, China always stood by it.
“You remember friends who stand with you at all times. In good times, everyone stands with you, but in difficult, tough, and bad times, you remember those people who stood by you,” noted the premier.
He said the people of Pakistan have that kind of fondness for the people of China.
Prime Minister Khan then mentioned that a “strange and great power rivalry” was underway in the region.
“The US is being wary of China […] I don’t need to say this as it is public knowledge — the way China and US are looking at each other […] so it creates problems.”
He also mentioned that the US has formed a regional alliance called “Quad” including India and a couple of other countries.
“So, from that point of view, Pakistan thinks that it is very unfair of the US and other Western powers [to make] countries like Pakistan take sides. Why should we take sides? We should have good relations with everyone,” he said.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan cannot be pressured to change its relations or downgrade its ties with China.
