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Pakistan Must Detach Itself From US Influence: Imran    

Islamabad (August 2, 2017): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran has said that Pakistan must detach itself from American influence and pull out of the “war on terror” in order to create prosperity and achieve regional peace.

Buoyed by last week’s dismissal of prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan is eyeing Pakistan’s highest political office, and said he was ready to change the country’s international relations.

 “Sadly, our ruling elite took dollars from the Americans and went into this war,” Khan added. “It has created such hatred in our society. It has created turmoil.”

His comments come as the US considers how to approach the conflict in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The White House recently announced it was withholding $50m (£38m) in military aid to Pakistan for its failure to crack down on jihadi groups.

However, if it were up to Khan, Pakistan would reject US aid entirely. “Aid cripples the country,” he said. “It enslaves the country. You are dictated decisions from abroad. I’m completely against this.”

 “I firmly believe that the army should not have a role in running the government,” he said. Khan retorted: “Transparency and accountability of leadership strengthens democracy. Free and fair elections strengthen democracy. How is this strengthening the army?”

Khan, however, said numbers did not reflect reality, maintaining that the 2013 election was rigged.

He protested: “Anyone who is a nationalist and cares for his own country, and does not jump at whatever the Americans ask you to, is considered anti-American.

 “I will stand up for what I believe is in the interest of Pakistan. It doesn’t mean I am anti anyone,” he said. But sending troops into the tribal areas to fight fellow Pakistanis on behalf of the US, he added, “is madness”.

 “Eighty years of British experience in the tribal areas – if you read about that, you would never do this stupidity,” he said. “You can’t do that to your own army who is fighting in Fata, fighting in Balochistan. Without the army it would be in chaos,” he said.

Still, Khan insisted he would be able assert control over the army.  “The constitution gives me that power,” he said.

Courtesy: The Guardian

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