ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said Pakistan does not want to become part of any bloc rather desires trading relations with all the countries.
In an exclusive interview with a Russian Television ahead of his historic visit to Moscow, the prime minister pointed out that Pakistan has suffered in the past due to politics of blocs. “The last thing we want is the world divided into blocs,” he said.
The prime minister noted that greater cooperation between the US, China and Russia will benefit mankind much more than the conflict. He hoped for peaceful resolution of Ukraine issue. He reiterated the military conflicts do not solve the problems.
PM Imran Khan said that developing countries could be badly affected by the dispute as any damage to international supply chain would create energy and food crises. “We believe in an international system which protect the interests of all countries,” he added.
He said Pakistan wants to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia and that he looks forward to his Moscow visit. He clarified that his visit to Russia was scheduled earlier and it has no connection with current tension between Russia and Ukraine.
“Unfortunately Pak-Russia economic relationship was not fully utilized earlier but I hope my visit will help the relationship between both countries to go to new high level. Russia can do investment in Pakistani in different sector including energy,” Khan said.
He pointed out that Pakistan is a gas deficient country. He said North-South Gas pipeline has suffered a delay because of the US sanctions on the Russian company the government was negotiating for the construction of the pipeline. He said the lifting of sanctions on Iran will also help Pakistan get cheaper gas from the neighbouring country.
When asked about relations with India, the prime minister said his government immediately reached out to India after coming to power in order to resolve the outstanding Kashmir dispute. He regretted that India has been taken over the racist ideology inspired by Nazis.
To a question, the prime minister said climate change and illicit flow of money from poor countries to the developed world are the two major challenges faced by the world. He said the western countries should frame laws like they have on terror financing to check the illicit flows.
It is pertinent to mention here that, Prime Minister Imran Khan, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, will pay an official two-day visit to Russia from February 23-24.
