Pakistan's ties with US that of slavery not friendship: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan today said Pakistan's relationship with the US is that of "slavery not friendship" as his party held a demonstration outside parliament here against drone strikes.

Addressing the protest, Khan accused politicians of having dual policies when it comes to the US. He said lawmakers should be honest with the people of Pakistan.

"All political parties had decided to stop NATO supplies if drone strikes did not stop. Now these parties are criticising the only party (Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf) which is doing so," Khan said.

"Pakistan's relationship with the US is that of slavery not friendship."

Khan's supporters recently began blocking NATO supply trucks going to Afghanistan via Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is ruled by his party.

He cautioned the centre not to attempt to overthrow his party's government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as this would result in the federal government being overthrown.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office stressed the need for talks to solve the issue of drone strikes and NATO blockade.

"We have seen reports that the US has suspended the NATO supplies through Torkham for security of transporters. The government has continued the arrangement for passage of NATO supplies in order to facilitate drawdown of NATO forces from Afghanistan," Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said.

"The government of Pakistan has consistently called for an end to drone strikes and has taken up this matter at the highest level with the United States and has also taken it up at United Nations."

Chaudhry said the issue of drone strikes has been discussed at length and the government has taken up the matter bilaterally with the US and raised it at international fora.

"We believe the approach that our government is pursuing is quite effective. There is an emerging world opinion questioning the legitimacy and usefulness of drone strikes," he told a news briefing.