Powerful country annoyed over ‘Russia visit’: Imran Khan 

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday stated that powerful country is angry with Pakistan because of Russia visit. 

While addressing the inauguration ceremony of Islamabad Security Dialogue, the Premier said that an ‘influential country’ is angry with him because he visited Russia.

“On the other hand, it is supporting its ally India which imports oil from Russia," he expressed displeasure.

Imran Khan revealed that he read the statement of the British Foreign Secretary, which mentioned that they cannot say anything to India as it is an ‘independent state’.

He regretted that no independent evaluation was made afterwards to assess the damage suffered by the Pakistani society, and said “the elite filled up their bank accounts at the cost of the nation”.

“How come a country can interfere into the affairs of an independent State,” he said, adding that Pakistan is also a ‘sovereign state’. 

“This is our mistake, I don’t blame them for giving them this impression,” Khan added.

He said for its own interest, Pakistan’s elite threw the nation to altar and put its self-respect at stake.   

The cricketer-turned politician then stressed that inclusive prosperity, rule of law and an independent foreign policy are the key elements for the national security of any country. 

“Without an independent foreign policy, the country cannot protect the interests of its people,” he added.

Khan, then, pointed out that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has pursued an independent foreign policy and did not become part of bloc politics to achieve the same objectives. 

As a result of this, he said Pakistan has received a lot of respect and recognition at the international level over the last three and a half years.

The PTI government firmly believed that there was a symbiotic relationship between economic, human, and traditional security which was imperative for Pakistan’s long-term development.

He emphasized that society becomes secure and successful when it looks after the weak segments of the society and ensures rule of law.

He said Pakistan has paid a heavy price by becoming part of conflicts in the past. He said we compromised the interests of our people because of the aid we received from other countries.

Highlighting the steps taken by his government, Imran Khan said we have introduced a universal health insurance scheme under which the poor people can also get medical treatment at private hospitals. 

“Our social protection programs are aimed at uplifting the disadvantaged segments of the society,” he added.

He said our struggle for rule of law is critical and our success in it will take the country forward.