Pakistan PM Imran Khan retracts from his criticism of Pakistani diplomats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan retracted on Tuesday from his criticism of the performance of the country’s foreign service officers, saying they are doing a great job. Days before, he had publicly castigated Pakistani missions abroad, creating an uproar in the foreign office and leading many diplomats to lodge a strong protest with the foreign minister and foreign secretary for scapegoating them.


He took a U-turn while speaking at a televised programme, "Apka Wazeer-i-Azam Apke Saath (Your PM With You)", on Tuesday. The PM takes telephone calls from citizens on this programme. "The foreign service has done a wonderful job as far as diplomacy is concerned. They advocated the Kashmir cause very well at international forums," Khan said.

Last week, Khan had lambasted the country’s top diplomats for failing to serve the Pakistani diaspora well and blamed them for displaying a colonial mindset. His criticism had followed the suspension of ex-ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ijaz. He had also ordered an inquiry against the envoy for mistreating Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia.

Harsh criticism from opposition politicians as well as foreign service officers, who had conveyed their anger to the concerned authorities, prompted the PM to revisit his earlier stance.

"I want to make it clear that Pakistan’s embassies and the foreign office have rendered great services in promoting the country’s good image abroad," Khan said in his clarification. "My comments were taken as if I was criticising the entire foreign office, which was not true. I am appreciative of the good work of Pakistan embassies abroad," he said, adding that his comments should have not gone live.

Foreign minister

Shah Mehmood Qureshi

said he believed that everything was fine at that event where the PM had spoken about the ambassadors. However, whatever was said should have not been publicised in a negative manner,

Qureshi

said.

The foreign minister said Pakistan’s opponents, especially India, blew the issue out of proportion and created a storm in a teacup over it.

Former foreign secretary Salman Bashir, who had earlier decried the PM’s diatribe against Pakistani missions abroad, welcomed the PM’s clarification. "Gracious of Imran Khan to finally acknowledge competence and great contribution of the foreign office," the former diplomat posted on Twitter.