Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a clear and unequivocal message to the United States that it will not spoil its relations with its longtime friend China under any pressure. In an important interview with Chinese media, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that US pressure on Pakistan to reduce relations with China was unfair. Whenever Pakistan was in trouble, China sided with it. Our relationship with China is getting stronger and stronger. The United States has complicated matters by forming a regional alliance called the Quad. India has also been included in the alliance. Pakistan wants good relations with all countries but it is not right for the Western powers to put pressure on Pakistan to choose a single alliance. It is inappropriate for Western countries to put pressure on Pakistan. No matter what happens, relations with China will not deteriorate. China stands with Pakistan in all circumstances. The heart of Pakistanis beats with China.
To a query, the prime minister emphatically reiterated “Whatever will happen…relationship between our two countries, no matter what pressure is put on us, is not going to change.”In the region, he said, a strange and great power rivalry took place which everybody knew. It could create problems. The US formed a regional alliance called ‘Quad’ including India and couple of other countries. “So, from that point of view, Pakistan thinks that it is very unfair of the US and other western powers……for countries like Pakistan to take sides. Why should we take sides! We should have good relationship with everyone,” he maintained. The prime minister categorically said that if pressure was put on Pakistan to change its relations or downgrade its ties with China, it would not happen.“Relationship between Pakistan and China is very deep, it’s not just the governments, but it’s people to people relationship,” he added. The prime minister further said that when Pakistan had been in trouble politically or internationally, or had conflicts with its neighbor, China always stood with them. The people of China have special place in the hearts of people of Pakistani, he said, adding “You remember friends who stand with you in all times. In good times, everyone stands with you but in difficult, tough and bad times, you remember those people who stood by you.” He said the people of Pakistan have that kind of fondness for the people of China. The prime minister to another question replied that the relationship between the two countries grew stronger politically and on the international fora, Pakistan and China stood together.
