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Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan. – File Photo by Reuters

KARACHI: United States Ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter “either misunderstood or misquoted my discussion with him on Pakistan-US relations,” says Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday.

Speaking to media representatives at Karachi airport, Khan said PTI is neither “pro nor against the US, it takes a position based on its policies. Thus, the PTI has consistently opposed American war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s partnership in it. Events have proved the party’s stand to be correct,” he said adding because after associating with the US and providing it help in Afghan war, Pakistan has suffered immensely.

The country became target of wave of terrorism in which over 35,000 people lost their lives and its economy suffered loss of estimated US$71 billion.

These grim statistics, Khan said, show his party’s consistent stand against Pakistan’s partnership in US war in Afghanistan.

But, this position taken in Pakistan’s national interest does not mean that PTI is anti-America, said the party chief.

The US ambassador, during an interview with BBC Urdu on Tuesday, said that PTI chief Imran Khan and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif both assured him of a pro-US government after next elections.

Khan said that he told the US envoy that the PTI would react to US policies that it disagrees with, but would seek to build an enduring relationship with it, based on shared interests and mutual respect.

“It is this part of interaction that has been highlighted by media and not the fact that I had candidly told Munter that the PTI cannot support reopening of Nato supply routes or any other activity that furthers US war efforts in Afghanistan,” Khan added.

 

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