Interview:Pakistan is not immune to US conspiracies.
Saber Abu Maryam acknowledged that the United States is using the slogans of democracy and human rights to further its own interests and destabilize other countries.
In recent weeks, Pakistan has witnessed many political upheavals, which eventually led to a vote of no confidence in Imran Khan by the National Assembly and the election of Shahbaz Sharif, the leader of the Muslim League Party, as the 23rd Prime Minister. The sensational ouster, which Imran Khan himself said was led by the United States.
To further investigate the reasons for Imran Khan’s ouster and the Pakistani political scene, we conducted an interview with Dr. Saber Abu Maryam, a Pakistani analyst.
The full text of this interview is as follows:
What was the reason for Imran Khan’s removal, and can it be attributed to his opposition to US policies?
There are different reasons for the dismissal of Imran Khan. In this regard, we can also talk about his way of governing, which over time, he lost many of his friends. There are also other domestic and political reasons for this, and public issues must be added. It can be said that issues such as inflation are at the forefront of this issue. But here I must say that such domestic issues and the problem of inflation are the same for the whole world.
However, as far as Imran Khan’s ouster is concerned, US involvement cannot be ignored. As Imran Khan himself acknowledged, he had been threatened in a letter by a US diplomat. His policies were not actually anti-American, but he had clear views; As he has repeatedly stated in his speeches: “We are not slaves” and we will not receive any dictates from any Western government. His political positions are very understandable.
A review of history shows that the US government has always been involved in political and military intervention in Third World countries. A study of two hundred years of American history shows that the traces of their interventions in dozens of countries that have used the slogans of democracy and human rights to advance their interests and have created instability in other countries. Sometimes military operations and in some cases the use of atomic bombs are all part of US criminal history. Pakistan is not immune to US conspiracies; Especially when Pakistan has relations with China, Russia, Iran and Malaysia in the region. Therefore, it is not wrong to consider the US intervention as a factor of instability in Pakistan and the removal of Imran Khan.
– In recent years, Pakistan seems to be moving closer to China as it distances itself from the United States. Do you agree with this analysis?
Yes, it is true that there has been a debate in Pakistani political and academic circles that Pakistan has suffered greatly as a result of US friendship. Pakistan has so far had to sacrifice thousands of precious lives in exchange for friendship with the United States. The country’s economy has been severely affected. For all its Pakistani losses, the United States has not only never appreciated Pakistan’s tireless sacrifices and efforts in the international arena, but has always stood behind Pakistan with a dagger. Even with regard to the recent withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, Pakistan’s efforts are obvious to the world.
As far as China is concerned, China has been a neighbor and friend of Pakistan, with whom it has a long historical relationship. These relationships have always gone in a positive direction. China has supported Pakistan’s position on Kashmir in the international community. The United States has always used its veto. China’s relations with Pakistan are more than friendship. China is investing in Pakistan, which is definitely in Pakistan’s interest. China, on the other hand, is an enemy of the United States. The United States has never liked China as an emerging world economy. That is why the United States opposes China’s friendly relations anywhere in the world, including South Asia, and especially with Pakistan.
The point is that Pakistan is a free and independent country with a nuclear power. Pakistan has the right to have an independent policy about its future. Pakistan has the right to have good relations with its neighbors. So the US intention is to disrupt Pakistan-China relations and create a rift in them.
– In your opinion, what will be the relations between Iran and Pakistan during the prime ministership of Shahbaz Sharif?
In this regard, it should be said that the relations between Pakistan and Iran in the past in the “Muslim League” government are an example that we are facing. A major problem is that just as the United States is working on an anti-China lobby in Pakistan, so is the US-influenced anti-Iranian lobby in Pakistan. Iran, on the other hand, is at the forefront of undermining US and Israeli interests in the region. In this regard, the countries of the Persian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, have a special relationship with the government of Shahbaz Sharif. In fact, this relationship also affects the Pakistani government at the behest of the United States. The involvement of the United Arab Emirates, as well as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, has been exposed in recent days as evidence of US involvement in a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan’s government has emerged.
The Turkish president first contacted the government of Shahbaz Sharif and expressed his happiness over his election. Similarly, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed their happiness. In general, it can be said that the Arab allies of the United States already have a relationship with Shahbaz Sharif. My personal view is that no significant or significant change is possible between Pakistan and Iran. Officially, as two Islamic friendly and brotherly countries, one can only expect a normal relationship from them.
– In general, how do you evaluate Mr. Shahbaz Sharif and what changes do you think will happen in Pakistan during his tenure?
I do not think there will be a significant change in Pakistan’s global political landscape. However, to reduce current anti-American sentiment among the Pakistani people, the current administration will try to convince the United States that Pakistan wants to be a friend of the United States. In the current context, it is also possible that the new Pakistani government will take a turn for the better on the Ukraine-Russia issue. However, the current government does not have much time and there are many internal problems. At the same time, the parties that have formed a coalition want to reform the electoral process at will to win the upcoming elections to form a government.
