Moscow, 5 April 2022 (TDI): The Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, commented on the American intervention in the internal matters of Pakistan.
Speaking about the events in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, she reiterated that on 3 April, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, dissolved the National Assembly of Pakistan.
He did so on the recommendation of the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The National Assembly is the lower house of the parliament. Maria Zakharova enunciated that Russia has taken note of the situation preceding the dissolution of the Pakistani government.
Talking about the situation, she pointed out that instantly after the announcement of the impending visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Russia, “the Americans and their Western associates began to exert rude pressure on the Prime Minister.”
It is pertinent to note that the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Moscow on February 23-24 this year. The US aimed to cancel that trip. The Russian Spokesperson further highlighted that Imran Khan nevertheless came to Russia.
Consequently, US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia, Donald Lu, called the Pakistani Ambassador in Washington with the demand to immediately interrupt the visit. Zakharova stated that that demand was also rejected.
Quoting the Pakistani media, she expressed that on 7 March, in a conversation with the then Pakistani Ambassador to America, Asad Majid, a high-ranking American official condemned the balanced reaction of the Pakistani leadership.
It is presumed that the high-ranking American official was the same Donald Lu. America disliked Pakistan’s approach to the events in Ukraine, hence making it clear that partnership with the United States is possible only if Imran Khan is ousted from power.
The Russian Spokesperson further highlighted that the unfolding events leave no doubt that the United States decided to punish the “defiant” Pakistani leadership.
Along these lines, she also mentioned that a group of deputies of the ruling party “suddenly” changed sides, and the vote of no-confidence motion was immediately submitted to the parliament.
Lambasting the US, she underscored that this is a testimony to another attempt of “shameless interference in the internal affairs of an independent state for its selfish purposes.”
Maria Zakharova also reiterated that the Pakistani Prime Minister himself repeatedly stated that the plot against him was inspired and funded from abroad.
Lastly, she said that “Pakistani voters will be informed about these circumstances when they come to the elections. The election will take place 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.
