Pakistan pledges to remain neutral in Ukraine crisis

 Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is addressing a political rally in Sindh. (Photo - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan)

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has denied allegations by Voice of America that his country's "neutral" stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict has created tensions with the United States or the West over Islamabad. He denied the allegations in an interview with the media on Sunday (March 8th).

The South Asian nuclear-armed Muslim country has refrained from condemning Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, despite strong pressure from the West. Instead, he suggested a dialogue and a diplomatic solution to end the crisis.

Pakistan demands that they move away from global party-based politics in order to develop relations with all countries of the world, including Russia, and to meet their own internal economic challenges.

"We do not want to be part of any camp. We have had to pay a price before to stay in one of the teams. That is why we are treading very carefully. We do not want to compromise on our neutrality, and that is why we refrain, "Qureshi told Voice of America.

"The only sensible way is a diplomatic solution," Qureshi said by phone from the southern Sindh province. He traveled to South Sindh to attend a political rally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

Outside of NATO countries, Pakistan is one of Washington's allies. The country abstained from voting in a vote in the General Assembly and a "condemnation" resolution in the Security Council last week, condemning Russia's aggression and aggression against Ukraine. Thirty-four other countries, including India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, abstained.

In the run-up to the General Assembly vote, Western diplomatic missions in Pakistan collectively called on Islamabad to join other countries in condemning Russia's aggression in Ukraine and calling for an immediate end to the war.

Qureshi said claims that Pakistan had joined the "Russia camp" were "false" and a "misinterpretation" of Islamabad's stated neutrality in the Ukraine crisis.

"I think our relationship with the United States is good. We consider the United States an important partner and we want continued support from the United States, "he said.

"I tried to talk to [US] Secretary of State [Anthony] Blinken on the phone and I was told he would be on tour for the next seven days. But I would be more than happy to explain Pakistan's position to him [on Ukraine], "Qureshi added.

He also denied reports that Pakistan's diplomatic tensions with Washington had escalated in the wake of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. Imran Khan was in Moscow when Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. However, it is known that this visit of Washington Khan was not well received.

Discussion of Qureshi and Lavrov

Qureshi said he had spoken by telephone on Saturday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and "emphasized" Islamabad's concerns about the latest developments in Ukraine. He told Voice of America that Lavrov had told him that Moscow was not "reluctant to negotiate" with Kiev "to reach a solution."

One of the Pakistani diplomats said that the Russian foreign minister had "mentioned" that the "positive outcome" of the two rounds of talks with Ukrainian officials was a joint decision to create a "humanitarian corridor". It was decided to evacuate civilians from the two cities besieged by Russian forces through this corridor. Qureshi and Lavrov held talks before Russian forces attacked the corridor.

"We are ready for the third round of talks. Our people are there. In fact, we are waiting for the Ukrainian delegation to come and start the talks, "said Lavrov.

Russia and Pakistan, once rivals. In recent years, the two countries have sought to restore relations. Analysts have described it as the result of the South Asian country's icy relations with the United States.

In an article published on Friday on Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Moscow, Khan's special assistant Rauf Hassan wrote, "Only a foolish leader can cancel such a visit and repeat the adverse relations of the past."

US officials, meanwhile, have made it clear that they believe "it is important to maintain good relations with a prosperous and democratic Pakistan in Washington's interests." They said the United States was Pakistan's largest trading partner and considered the South Asian country "an important regional power."

Officials acknowledge that Pakistan has played a key role in supporting international efforts to remove at-risk Afghans since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. A dialogue is also underway between Washington and Islamabad on how to jointly address the threat posed by terrorism from Afghan soil.

Pakistani officials say Imran Khan is preparing for an "important visit" to the West after a meeting of foreign ministers from 57 countries, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Islamabad later this month. However, they have not yet given any details about the visit.