Pakistan has excellent ties with US, says General Bajwa

Pakistan army chief General Qamar Bajwa has discarded prime minister Imran Khan's statement about America and said that Pakistan does not believe in camp politics and enjoys a close strategic relationship with China as well as the United States. Pakistan seeks to broaden and expand relations with both China and the United States, without "impacting our relations with either", Bajwa said at the Islamabad Security Dialogue on Saturday.  Talking about the Russia-Ukraine situation, General Bajwa said Russia's invasion of Ukraine must be stopped immediately. "Despite legitimate security concerns of Russia, its aggression against a smaller country cannot be condoned," the army chief said. "Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. We support immediate dialogue between all sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict," he added.

The comments come a day ahead Prime Minister Imran Khan faces a no-trust motion in the assembly, following almost a month of political turmoil in the country which, according to Imran Khan, is aided by the United States. The Pakistan premier said he received intelligence that the US was displeased over his Moscow visit after Russia invaded Ukraine in a special military operation sanctioned by Russia. The US had also rejected the claims and said it was following the developments in Pakistan. Meanwhile,Khan on Friday asserted that he will not resign, Talking to a news channel, he said that the 'establishment' gave him three options: resignation, no-trust vote, or early elections. He said he chose early elections as his party can't run the government with so many members defecting to the opposition.