By Rpf Gakwerere
“What do you think of us? Are we your slaves … that whatever you say, we will do?”
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has criticised Islamabad-based Western envoys who last week sought to pressure Pakistan to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, asking them if they thought Pakistan was their “slave.”
The heads of 22 diplomatic missions, including those of European Union member states, released a joint letter on March 1 urging Pakistan to support a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Pakistan, a traditional ally of the West, abstained from voting as the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly reprimanded Russia for invading Ukraine.
“I want to ask the European Union ambassadors: Did you write such a letter to India?” Khan said, noting that Pakistan’s arch-rival had also abstained.
Khan also said European countries had not censured India for its actions in Kashmir, a mountainous region over which Pakistan and India have fought two wars.
Khan and his government found themselves in the spotlight after a visit to Moscow, where he met Vladimir Putin a few hours before the Russian president ordered his troops into Ukraine.
“We are friends with Russia, and we are also friends with America; we are friends with China and with Europe; we are not in any camp,” Khan added, saying Pakistan would remain “neutral” and work with those trying to end the war in Ukraine