Imran Khan denies friendship with US

American Ambassador Cameron Munter has either misunderstood or misquoted my discussion with him regarding Pak-US relations, said Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Imran Khan. Speaking to reporters at the Karachi airport, where he arrived for a two day visit, Mr. Khan said that PTI is neither pro nor against the United States. It takes a position based on its policies. Thus, the party has consistently opposed the American war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s partnership in it. Events have proved the party stand to be correct, said Imran Khan, because after associating with the United States and providing it help in the Afghan war, Pakistan has suffered immensely. The country became the target of a wave of terrorism in which over 35,000 people lost their lives. Also, the Pakistan economy suffered a loss of an estimated 71 billion dollars.

These grim statistics, Imran Khan said show that PTI’s consistent stand against Pakistan’s partnership in America’s war in Afghanistan has proven to be correct. But, this position taken in Pakistan’s national interest does not mean that PTI is anti America. Talking to the American Ambassador Chairman PTI had said that the party would react to US policies that it disagrees with but would seek to build an enduring relationship with it based on shared interests and mutual respect. It is this part of the interaction that has been highlighted by the media and not the fact that I had candidly told the American Ambassador that the party cannot support the reopening of NATO supplies or any other activity that furthers American war effort in Afghanistan, said Imran Khan.