(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
ISLAMABAD – Fearing that he might’ve come on too strong with his message to Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasised “close and cordial” relations were to be between Malaysia and Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
PM Khan further highlighted that the “need of high-level exchanges” also referred to bilateral relations between the two countries, adding that “collaboration at an operational level” served the same purpose as well.
“When I said that we could benefit from each other’s expertise, I meant our countries,” Khan said while talking to Mahathir Mohammad. “Similarly, when I said ‘your place or mine’, it meant Malaysia or Pakistan.”
According to Radio Pakistan, Dr Mohammad accepted PM Khan’s clarification and his invitation to visit Pakistan, which he realised was not an invitation for a private meeting but one between two premiers representing their countries.
The Pakistani prime minister congratulated his Malaysian counterpart for the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s success in Malaysia’s general election and appreciated Prime Minister Mahathir’s vision.
“The vision, again, is how you see Malaysia’s future, and not the way you look at me,” Khan further clarified while speaking to the Malaysian PM.