The prime minister recently hit out at foreign envoys including those from the United States and European Union for pressuring the government to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The prime minister is now peddling the narrative that a foreign hand is behind an attempt to oust his government.
The opposition has submitted a no-confidence motion and is jostling for the required numbers to oust the government. The prime minister vowed to thwart their attempts and reiterated to continue waging war against corrupt politicians.
It started when the head of 22 diplomatic missions released a joint letter urging Pakistan to support a UN General Assembly resolution censuring Russian aggression in Ukraine. Pakistan abstained from voting. The move to release the letter was rare and even the Foreign Office said it was not usual diplomatic practice.
During a rally, the prime minister lashed out at the West for pressuring Pakistan over its foreign policy, saying it was an independent nation and not dictum from others. “Are we your slaves,” the prime minister said in a strongly-word rebuke. He asked if the ambassadors had written such a letter to India or stopped trade after the arch-enemy revoked the status of Kashmir.
PM Imran found himself in the spotlight after he proceeded with the Moscow visit and met Putin just hours after Russia moved its troops into Ukraine. Pakistan has stressed on remaining neutral and on working to de-escalate the conflict but such statements could further isolate the country from its allies in Europe and elsewhere.
The recent statement of not condemning Russia have given the impression that Pakistan has sided with it. In other words, Pakistan has become an unwitting victim in the new Cold War. The government also doesn’t have any interlocutors to thaw the frosty ties with the Biden Administration, which has turned a cold shoulder to PM Imran Khan ever since coming to power.
Now a conspiracy theory is being spread that Western nations are considering regime change in Pakistan and want to topple the government. This is a highly populist move which could benefit the prime minister if he is dismissed from power but he should realise that domestic issues have provided an opportune environment for the no-trust motion.
