Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan slammed Western envoys located in Islamabad who encouraged Pakistan to denounce Russia’s actions in Ukraine last week, asking if they thought Pakistan was their “slave.”
On March 1, the heads of 22 foreign missions, including those of European Union member nations, issued a joint letter requesting Pakistan to back a UN General Assembly resolution denouncing Russia’s actions against Ukraine.
“What are your thoughts about us? Are we your slaves, obedient to your every command?” Khan made the remarks while speaking at a campaign event.
In the end, Pakistan, a long-time Western friend, abstained from voting as the United Nations General Assembly unanimously condemned Russia for invading Ukraine.
“I’d like to question the ambassadors of the European Union: Did you write such a letter to India?” Khan pointed out that Pakistan’s arch-rival, India, had also voted negative.
“We are friends with Russia and America; we are friends with China and Europe; we are not in any camp,” Khan said, adding that Pakistan would stay “neutral” and engage with those seeking to settle the conflict in Ukraine.
On Friday, a spokeswoman for Pakistan’s foreign ministry stated that it was “not customary diplomatic procedure” for envoys to make public requests like their letter, “and we have made that clear.”
