ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan said on Monday he wanted friendship with the United States (US) and not “slavery,” amid reports of his meeting with a US lobbyist in Islamabad.
Khan, who was removed from office through a parliamentary no-trust vote in April, blamed the US of orchestrating his ouster, an allegation denied by both Washington and Khan's opponents.
In an interview televised on Monday night, the former premier said he never had any issue with the Americans and enjoyed cordial relations with the Trump administration, in what could be read as a softening of his stance after his meeting with Robin Raphel, a US lobbyist and a former American diplomat.
"I understand our relationship with the US should be good. I only say that we should not be used like the way we were used in the 'War on Terror'," the ex-premier said in an interview to Pakistan's Dunya news channel.
"We are with you in peace but do not involve us in anyone's war. I want friendship, not slavery."
He said his administration didn't have any friction with the US, however, the Pakistan-US ties strained after Russia invaded Ukraine in February during his visit to Moscow.
Khan said issues do occur in international relations, but they are resolved: "I am not anti-American, I am not against any country. I only object to policies, my job is to protect the interest of my people."
The ex-premier, who has been holding rallies across Pakistan to pressure the government into holding snap polls, also said he was ready to talk to the current administration, if it was willing to announce fresh elections in the country.
Khan's statement came in response to a question about the feasibility of elections at a time when the country is grappling with widespread devastation caused by unprecedented floods that have killed around 1,400 people and resulted in material damages running as high as $30 billion.
Despite recent inflow of $1.16 billion from the International Monetary Fund, the Pakistani currency has once again been under pressure and the current account deficit is likely to further widen on expectations of rising import bills as floods have washed away large swathes of standing crops.
He said the country could only be economically stable if there was political stability, maintaining an economic default would be a bigger disaster for Pakistan than the recent floods.
"I am just telling you the country is facing extraordinary circumstances," the ex-premier said.
"If they are ready to talk about free and fair elections, I am always ready to talk to them."
General elections are not due in Pakistan until November next year, while the incumbent government says the polls will take place on time and has rejected Khan's repeated calls for early elections.
