Islamabad, July 25: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday asserted he had never “bowed down to anyone”, after being snubbed by the nation’s opposition for “begging” abroad and causing “embarrassment” to Islamabad during his three-day maiden visit to the United States to hold a meeting with President Donald Trump at White House.
Khan said, “Neither have I bowed down to anyone nor will I let my nation to do so. We are a self-respecting nation. All my struggle is focused to make our country one of the great nations of the world based on the principles set by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) upon which he founded the state of Madinah.”
He made these comments during addressing a gathering at the international Islamabad airport while returning from Washington DC to Pakistan after completing his maiden US visit, according to ANI news reports.
Khan’s remarks came in a response to his opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement that the prime minister caused “embarrassment” to the country by “begging” abroad during his meeting with Trump in Washington.
Calling Khan as “selected Prime Minister”, Bilawal, in a tweet, wrote: “Pitty even when representing our country abroad selected PM can’t get off his container.”
He added tweeting: “Imran is a ruler, not a leader. Pakistan needs a leader who speaks for all Pakistanis, not just himself. If the government does opposition & opposition does opposition then who’s left to run the country?”
Pitty even when representing our country abroad Selected PM can’t get of his container. Imran is a ruler not a leader. 🇵🇰 needs a leader who speaks for all Pakistanis not just himself. If government does opposition & opposition does opposition then who’s left to run the country?
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 21, 2019
During his US visit, Khan held face-to-face dialogues with Trump, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, as well as, White House press secretary.