Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan praises India's foreign policy, plays EAM Jaishankar's video at a rally
Lahore, Aug 14: Pakistan's ousted prime minister Imran Khan has once again heaped praise on India for pursuing an "independent foreign policy" and lauded Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for standing firm to the sustained US pressure over buying cheap oil from Russia.
While addressing a rally here on Saturday, on the eve of the country's 75th Independence Day, Khan said that while India bought oil from Russia because it was in its people's interest, the current dispensation under Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan couldn't survive without Washington's support.
"If India which got independence at the same time as Pakistan and if New Delhi can take a firm stand and make their foreign policy as per the need of its people then who are they (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif government) who are towing the line," Khan said at the rally.
Khan, the 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was voted out of power last month through a no-confidence motion, which he alleges was masterminded by the US with the help of local players over his pursuance of an independent foreign policy.
This is not the first time that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party chairman has praised India for pursuing an independent foreign policy.
In May, Khan praised India for pursuing its "independent" foreign policy and said the US cannot dare to dictate to India because it is a free country.
"India is buying oil and weapons from Russia but the US does not say anything to it because it (India) is an independent country. India is also doing trade with Iran but the US does not object to it," he had said.
Khan played out External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's video clip at Saturday's rally to elucidate his point further.
"India's foreign minister was told by them (referring to the US) not to buy oil from Russia. He (Jaishankar) categorically told them Who are you to tell us what to do'. The Indian foreign minister told them if Europe is buying gas from Russia...who are you to tell us (India) not to buy oil from Russia," Khan said, while asserting that India is a sovereign country and has the courage to protect the interest of its people.
Jaishankar had made the following remarks at the GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum in Slovakia in June on the topic 'Taking Friendship to the Next Level: Allies in the Indo-Pacific Region'.
Khan also slammed the Sharif government for bowing down to US pressure on buying Russian oil.
"India forms it's (foreign) policy keeping in view the interest of its people but those who are imposed on us (Sharifs and Zardaris) they watch only their interests," he said, adding that if India can safeguard the interests of its people, why cannot the Pakistani government do the same?
Khan also regretted that he wanted to buy cheap oil from Russia to benefit the poor, but his government was sent packing through a conspiracy hatched by the US and its three stooges -- Sharif, Asif Zaradri and Fazlur Rehman.
Khan said that he is not "anti-American and wants a "friendly relationship with the US, instead of becoming their "slave.
Khan said he had enjoyed "good ties with former US president Donald Trump as he was "respectable during his visit to the US.
"Ask anyone from the Pakistan-American community they will testify that no one before me had gotten the protocol that Trump gave to me, he claimed.
During the rally, Khan shared his party's "roadmap for Haqeeqi Azadi (real freedom) to counter the federal government and push towards early elections.
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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
