Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Danila Ganich agrees that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia was one of the reasons for his ouster. He expressed his views in an exclusive interview for a private news channel.
Replying to a question regarding Imran Khan’s claims that his visit to Russia was the reason behind his ouster, the Russian Ambassador said that was one of the factors.
“I have been watching things here in Pakistan and my personal assessment is that yes, it was one of the factors,” Russian Ambassador Danila Ganich. He also said that the presence of Imran Khan in Moscow and the invasion of Ukraine is a coincidence.
“Imran Khan is basically an honest man and he wants the betterment of his people,” Danila Ganich said.
روسی سفیر کے مطابق عمران خان کا دورہ روس ان وجوہات میں سے تھا جنکی بنیاد پر ریجیم چینج آپریشن کیا گیا۔
#وجہ_کیا_تھی pic.twitter.com/hkl4AlYZaJ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 12, 2022
To clarify, Imran Khan’s visit to Russia earlier this year became the target of much controversy as it was during the peak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The visit came at a time when the Western world was charged against Russia.
The US even pressurized Pakistan to condemn Russia’s military actions in Ukraine which Pakistan never did. As a result, the visit was perceived as a slap on the US’ face. Shortly after, Imran Khan faced the no-confidence motion.
Read more: US is meddling with Pakistan’s internal affairs, claims Russia
Since then he has claimed an international conspiracy against him. According to Imran Khan’s narrative, his blatant refusal to appease the US resulted in an international conspiracy to topple his government.
No cheap oil pact signed with Pakistan?
While replying to a question regarding Imran Khan’s claims that Russia had offered the PTI-led government to buy its oil at cheaper rates, Danila Ganich said that no MoU has been signed on the trade of wheat and oil at cheaper prices with Pakistan.
However, the ambassador said that the negotiations between the Pakistani and Russian officials had been taking place under the Imran Khan-led government and were taking place under the incumbent government too.
Imran Khan, since being ousted through a no-confidence motion in April, repeatedly claimed that his government was buying cheaper oil from Russia and had written a letter in this regard.
Read more: Hammad Azhar accuses energy minister of lying over Pak-Russia oil deal