Cornered Imran pats India, flays his army

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday praised India’s foreign policy while criticizing the Pakistan Army and the Opposition as his government faces a no-confidence motion on March 25. It was a day of many firsts for Pakistan as Mr. Khan not only lavished praise on the Indian Government but also lashed out at the all-powerful Pakistan Army. “My country’s foreign policy should be for the welfare of our people. Today, I congratulate our neighbour India because they always maintained an independent foreign policy,” Mr. Khan said at a rally in Malakand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “They have an alliance with the United States under the Quad (but) buying crude oil from Russia.” Mr. Khan became the first Pakistani leader to visit Moscow in more than two decades on February 24, the day on which Russia launched a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.  Ahead of his visit to Russia, Mr. Khan had sought a debate with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to solve bilateral tensions. He had in the recent past compared India’s present political atmosphere to the Nazi era of Germany. Mr. Khan’s political problems began almost immediately as the timing of his visit to Moscow was criticized by his rivals at home who targeted him for the poor handling of the economic situation in the country. Political temperature increased on March 8 when the no-trust motion was moved by a section of the Opposition leaders. To make matters worse, Pakistan Army Chief General Bajwa has reportedly asked him to step down. Mr. Khan’s praise for India makes it to the frontpage of The Hindu coming as it does after years of constant criticism of each other. The praise has come as Mr. Khan faces a no-confidence motion tabled against him, which will be closely watched in India. Mr. Khan has been accused of bad governance and economic incompetence while his supporters feel this is part of larger conspiracy to remove him after three and half years at the helm. (The Hindu)