'Can be partners with US in peace, not in war’: Imran Khan 

Paris: The Pakistan Prime Minister Tuesday said that Pakistan desires to be partners with the United States (US) in peace, not in war—stating that he would like to meet President Macron to discuss bilateral ties. 

In an exclusive interview to Le Figaro, the Prime Minister said that France is a very important country for Pakistan. 

“Almost half of our exports go to the European Union, of which France is one of the most significant members. It is also a trading partner,” he added. 

Imran Khan further added, “Our priority is to turn the economy around so that our country can stand on its own two feet and take care of its 220 million people”. 

The cricketer-turned politician stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is in the process of addressing the matter regarding an ambassador in Paris as the country has not had an envoy there since 2020. 

Referring to visit to Paris, Imran Khan said, “Not in the immediate future,” adding that he has spoken to President Macron twice on the phone in the past and want to visit France. 

“We want recognition of the Taliban government to be a collective process,” said Khan while referring to Afghan situation.  

“As for the conditions for such recognition, there is an international consensus that there must be an inclusive government in Afghanistan,” said Prime Minister. 

The former cricketer further added, “If the humanitarian crisis worsens, we will have an influx of refugees, while more than 240,000 have already fled their country after the fall of Kabul”.  

“We do not have the resources to accept more refugees,” he stressed.

Imran Khan indicated that, “We do not want international terrorism to operate from Afghanistan, but this can only be done with the help of the Taliban government”.  

“We have already lost 80,000 lives (in the war against terrorism) after 2001, and we do not want a conflict with the Afghan government,” he added. 

Responding to a question regarding Kashmir issue, Imran Khan said, “Pakistan disputes India’s sovereignty over Kashmir”.  

“In 2019, New Delhi ended the autonomy of this region and the peace process has been frozen ever since,” stressed Khan. 

Pakistan Prime Minister then stated that this unilateral decision goes against UN Security Council Resolution 47. 

“The attitude of the BJP government and the RSS (a right-wing Hindu fundamentalist group) towards Pakistan and Kashmir is worrisome,” he added. 

Imran Khan then stated that Pakistan’s government is dealing with a government that is not rational—whose ideology is based on hatred of religious minorities and Pakistan. 

“We can’t talk to them, we are at a dead end,” pointed Khan, adding that talking would be a betrayal of the Kashmiris who have suffered so much and who live in an open-air prison environment with 800,000 troops deployed in the region. 

“Kashmir is directly a matter of concern for Pakistan,” concluded Imran Khan.