Pakistan – China ties hold up and not sacrificed for US sake: Pakistan Foreign Office…

The Shehbaz Sharif Government ruled out the possibility of sacrificing its relationship with China for the sake of improved relations with the USA, the foreign office said yesterday, 25th 07, 2024, stressing that, “Pakistan doesn’t believe in zero sum relationships”. 

The foreign Office Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch gave a statement that said, “For us relations with the USA and China are both important. We do not believe in situations where a relationship with one country is to be sacrificed on the altar of relations with another”.

She described China as an all weather friend of Pak and said that the relations would get strengthened as the time progresses. At the same time, she also said that Pakistan values its relationship with the United States and believes in constructive engagement.

The statement came after she was asked to comment on the fact that the Biden Administration has asked the US Congress for $101 million assistance for Pakistan while a top US diplomat, Donald Lu was quoted saying that “China is investing in Pak while the US is the future”. It is also being asked if the US help is coming with any condition that Pak should reduce interactions with the Chinese administration.

Commenting on the demand for the release of former Pak PM Imran Khan by a dozen of UK MPs, Miss Baloch said Pakistan has taken notes of the discussions regarding this matter that took place in London.

“As far as we understand, it was a private event held in a side room of the House of Lords, and the event was organised by a political party that had invited some members of the parliament. It is important that legislative bodies contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral relations and help in developing mutual understanding and respect between the two countries”, She said.

When asked about the US ambassador’s plan to meet Imran Khan in Jail, and asked if the administration would allow any diplomat to meet the PTI chief in prison, the FO Spokesperson said that she had not seen the ambassador’s statement.

In her statement she said, “We have, however, commented on this particular aspect in the past, and we have underlined that any such requests will be determined on the basis of Pakistani laws and the decisions of the Pakistani courts.”

In an answer to another question regarding Chinese efforts to bring all Palestine sections under one roof, Miss Baloch said, “We appreciate the role that China has played in the region, including in the understanding that was reached last year between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan will continue to work with China on all matters of mutual interest.”