Khan wants to review ties with Washington
PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed a desire to re-establish relations with the US through future cooperation with Washington despite maintaining the position of an "American plot" to oust him as the prime minister, Financial Times reported.
The chairman of the PTI was removed from office through a vote of no confidence from the opposition at the time, on April 9, becoming the first prime minister to be removed from office. Khan – who says America treats Pakistan as a “slave” – blamed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the United States for ousting him, however, both deny the claims.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Khan stated that “he no longer blames the US” and wants “dignified” ties with the country if he returns to power.
Referring to the so-called conspiracy, Khan said “it was over”.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s over, it’s behind me. The Pakistan I want to lead needs to have good relations with everyone, in particular with the United States,’ he said.
Our relationship with the United States has been a master-servant relationship or a master-slave relationship, and we have been used as a weapon for hire. But to do so, I blame my own government more than the United States,’ said the former prime minister.
After a rise in popularity due partly to his anti-American rhetoric, many observers now predict that Khan and PTI could witness the success of the next parliamentary elections due to be held next year.
Khan is leading a much-touted march against the government with convoys from different cities in Pakistan moving towards Islamabad, and insists on “not returning until the goals are achieved”. The PTI chief demands a date for the general elections ahead of the due time.
The long march was interrupted last week after the former prime minister was targeted in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad.