PM Khan not ‘waiting’ for a phone call from President Joe Biden

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while talking to foreign journalists at his residence on Wednesday night, said he was not “waiting” for a phone call from United States (US) President Joe Biden.

“I keep hearing that President Biden hasn’t called me. Well, it’s his option. If he wants to call or not it’s his business. If he thinks it’s necessary or not. Not that I am waiting for any phone call,” he said in response to a question from Reuters journalist, Gibran Peshimam.

I asked PM Imran Khan about the "Biden call" issue in an interaction. He said: "I keep hearing President Biden hasn’t called me. Well it's his option. If he wants to call or not it's his business if he thinks it's necessary or not. Not that I’m waiting for any phone call"

— Gibran Peshimam (@gibranp) August 12, 2021

PM Khan’s comments come after National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf had said that Pakistan has other options if Joe Biden continues to ignore the country’s leadership.

While speaking to Finacial Times (FT), Yusuf categorically said, “If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options.”

“We’ve been told every time that . . . [the phone call] will happen, it’s technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don’t believe it,” Yusuf added.

The prime minister also talked about the current situation in Afghanistan, its impact on Pakistan, and the withdrawal of US troops.

PM Khan further said, “The only solution to Afghan problem is the formation of an inclusive government through a political settlement.”

He said the prevailing situation in Afghanistan could lead to a civil war in the country resultantly making us suffer being the immediate neighbour. He said it could also affect our geo-economic agenda of improving trade links with Central Asia.

Prime Minister said, ” Pakistan is ready to work with any government in Afghanistan that is elected by its people.” He once again made it clear that we have no favourites in Afghanistan.