IMRAN KHAN: INDIAPAK TIES POOR DUE TO MODI GOVT
ISLAMABAD: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has blamed what he called the “very aggressive anti-pakistan” of the Narendra Modi government for the failure of former premier Nawaz Sharif’s efforts to improve ties with India.
Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) party who is being tipped as a potential candidate for the post of prime minister ahead of the July 25 general elections, conceded that Sharif had tried his best to improve the relationship with India.
“Nawaz Sharif tried his best (to mend ties with India),” Khan told Dawn newspaper while campaigning in Karachi on Wednesday. “I will give him the credit.”
He added, “Nawaz Sharif tried everything, even personal (gestures like) calling him (Modi) over to his house. No one got in his way. But I think it is the policy of the Narendra Modi government to try and isolate Pakistan...what can one do in the face of this attitude?”
Khan also referred to the delicate relationship between the civilian and military leadership and said this was largely due to the poor performance of civilian governments.
“We have had military influence on politics in Pakistan because we have had the worst political governments. I am not saying it is justified but where there is a vacuum something will fill it,” he said.
He said if his party came to power, good governance will be its strength. “When you have democratic governments that perform and deliver, that is their strength,” he added.
Dawn reported a number of surveys showed the PTI is gaining ground over its rivals. Khan said he was confident about his chances of forming government with a simple majority. Asked about an alternative plan if he failed to achieve a majority, he said: “A coalition depends on the partner in question. If the coalition partner allows us to implement our manifesto, it’s fine.”