KEY POINTS

  • The heads of 22 diplomatic missions, including those of European Union member states, released the joint letter on March 1
  • Khan also asked if India received such a letter
  • Pakistan recently struck a deal with Russia for wheat and gas imports

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has lashed out at Western envoys who urged his country last week to join other nations in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Khan questioned whether the European Union envoys thought of Pakistanis as their “slaves.”

In a joint letter, the heads of 22 diplomatic missions, including those of European Union member states, wrote, “As heads of mission to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we urge Pakistan to join us in condemning Russia’s actions,” The Hill reported. The letter was sent by Islamabad-based Western envoys and was released publicly on March 1.

Reacting to the diplomats’ appeal, the Pakistani Prime Minister said, “What do you think of us? Are we your slaves … that whatever you say, we will do?” He made the remarks at a political rally Sunday, Reuters reported.

Referring to the joint letter, Khan said: “I want to ask the European Union ambassadors: Did you write such a letter to India?”

Pakistan and India have long been at odds due to territorial disputes over the Kashmir region. However, both countries abstained to vote during the U.N. General Assembly that sought to decry Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Khan reiterated that he will continue to be on the neutral side of the conflict as his country remains “friends” with Russia, the U.S., China, and Europe. “We are not in any camp,” he said.

Khan also alluded to the supposed criticism Pakistan received when it supported the Western NATO alliance in Afghanistan.

Criticism for Khan has increased since he paid a state visit to Russia hours before Russian troops were deployed to Ukraine. Khan’s Moscow visit was previously planned even before the Ukraine-Russia war started, Nikkei reported. Khan also said before his departure for Moscow that Pakistan will not take sides or join blocs even as it wanted to expand bilateral ties.

Khan struck a deal with Russia to import natural gas, Voice of America reported. Furthermore, Pakistan is also set to import two million tons of wheat from Russia under the agreement.

The European Commission says on its website that the European Union is “Pakistan’s second most important trading partner, accounting for 14.3% of Pakistan’s total trade in 2020 and absorbing 28% of Pakistan’s total exports.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting that human rights were interpreted differently across the world
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting that human rights were interpreted differently across the world AFP / Farooq NAEEM
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