Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), recently indicated a departure from his usual refrain and expressed a desire to restore his relations with Washington despite accusing it of treating Islamabad as a “slave”. Imran Khan had accused America of instigating a plot to remove him from power.
Following a botched assassination attempt last month, Imran stated in an interview with the Financial Times that if re-elected, he will no longer “blame” the US and wants a “dignified” relationship.
He claimed that the alleged conspiracy, which Shehbaz and the US had both denied, was over and behind him.
“Everyone, especially the United States, must be friendly with Pakistan.”
“We have been treated like hired guns and our relationship with the US has been one of master-servant or master-slave. However, I hold my own government more accountable than the US for that.”
Many observers now believe Khan and PTI may succeed in the upcoming general elections after his popularity continued to increase in part as a result of his anti-American rhetoric.
Khan is in charge of a well-publicized anti-government march that is moving toward Islamabad with convoys from various cities in Pakistan. He is adamant about “not returning until targets are achieved.” The PTI leader requests an early announcement of the general election date.
The long march came to an unfortunate halt last week due to a delay caused by the former premier being the target of an attempted assassination attack in Wazirabad.
