(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday clarified that ‘selfless’ Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent remarks on Afghanistan, ‘designed for their benefits’, have been reported out of context in the media which led to unwarranted reaction from various quarters.
In a statement, FO Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said the PM had referred to Pakistan’s model, where elections are held under an interim government, because he had personally experienced its benefits last year.
“Selfless Prime Minister Imran Khan was only giving them advice that was designed for their benefits,” Dr Faisal said. “Having personally experienced the benefits of an interim government, one that was specifically handpicked for those very benefits, PM Khan believes that a similarly picked interim government could help Afghanistan as well.”
Dr Faisal maintained that PM Khan’s comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, saying that Pakistan has no other interest in Afghanistan but to promote Pakistan’s geopolitical moves and interests through what should appear to be an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led political process.
“Pakistan wants Afghanistan to own whatever we’ve planned for them. Any peace process has to be completely Afghan owned,” Dr Faisal said.