Shaheer Ahmed
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has sent a shock across entire Europe. In a global expression of outrage over Russian troops entering Ukraine, the UN is doing whatever it can to make sure that most of the countries vote against Russia.
The UN emergency session was called, and most of the countries ended up voting against Russia. However, a few countries have gone for the option of absentation. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, and Sri Lanka are among them.
The response has not been taken lightly, as EU envoys are doing their best to gain a vote from the countries that showed absentation. This comes as a surprise, as the strong reason for sparking this activity was the Russian invasion of an EU country. Back when Israel was bombarding the innocent cities of Palestine, or when India was breaking a lot of international laws in Kashmir, the EU envoys didn’t become active.
In such times, the response of Imran Khan comes as the need of the hour. Imran Khan slammed the EU envoys when they pressured Imran Khan into voting against Russia. It is worthy of mention that Pakistan has clarified about maintaining a neutral stance on the position. Taking sides in such a conflict doesn’t bode well for its national interests. However, the EU ambassadors still issued an ‘undiplomatic’ statement against Pakistan that was akin to putting pressure on Imran Khan to vote against Russia. Imran Khan lashed out against the statement, asking the bloc whether they sent a similar letter to India when New Delhi revoked the autonomous status of Occupied Kashmir that violated UN security council resolutions.
He further asked them if they have acknowledged Pakistan’s support in the war against terror that not only claimed 80,000 lives but also caused heavy collateral damage.
Imran Khan said, “Has anyone of you ever severed trade relations with India or objected to its unlawful actions? Are we slaves and act according to your wishes?”
This happened as last week’s press release by ambassadors of 23 countries had asked to join Pakistan in condemning Russian attacks on Ukraine. Pakistan’s foreign office had clearly declared that Pakistan’s stance would be ‘diplomatic’ and taking any side would harm that. Earlier, the premier had said that Pakistan wants no sides, and wants to have good relations with all countries, including US, EU, Russia, and China. When the EU envoys didn’t respond well to neutrality, Imran Khan had to retort accordingly.
For now, Imran Khan remains a force of nature against the diplomatic deceptions that the West intends to throw at us. Pakistan is building up its reputation as a firm and soverign state, and with a strong ruler who is not afraid to express his clear opinion, Pakistan is bound to succeed.
