ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that a powerful country questioned and expressed reservations over his recent Russia visit.

“The EU council president phoned me to resolve this conflict along with China. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi tried to play his role as a mediator. It can only happen if we remain neutral,” PM Imran said while speaking at the Security Dialogue.

“We tried to avoid bloc politics and prioritise the interest of 220 million Pakistanis,” PM Imran added.

PM Imran said that the responsibility for the disrespect being shown to the nation goes to the ruling elite of the country. “People who are afraid of the USA sacrificed the nation for the foreign interests. They vilified the country. No country can have respect who doesn’t have independent foreign policy.”

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Without naming any country but with a clear insinuation towards the USA, the premier said that they have threatened the country that there can be grave consequences if the no-confidence is not passed.

“This is our mistake, we have given them the impression that we can not live without them,” he said.

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The premier said that national security is a multi-dimensional thing that should first ensure that the government and masses remain on the same page. “We tried to make independent foreign policy under our government,” he said.

Those who have their wealth stashed abroad fulfil the interest of their masters and compromised Pakistan’s, the premier added. He said that a good independent foreign policy focuses on the interest of the people.