Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar faced widespread criticism, particularly from PTI activists, for his recent remarks in which he seemed to draw a parallel between China’s robust partnership with Pakistan and the support the US provides to Israel, with many deeming his language as “astonishingly inappropriate.”
This backlash on social media occurred a day after the prime minister made this comparison during his address at the Council on Foreign Relations while attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly in the United States.
Prime Minister Kakar went on to highlight the shared interests and concerns of both neighboring countries, emphasizing their common ground on various issues such as the One-China policy and China’s positions on matters related to Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
It’s worth noting that some observers have suggested that this statement may have drawn inspiration from a quote attributed to Chinese General Xiong Guangkai, which appears in the introduction of Andrew Small’s book, “The China Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics.”
Pakistan is China’s Israel. pic.twitter.com/7W63GriiiI
— bookscache (@bookscache) September 21, 2023
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), former PTI MPA Taimur Khan Jhagra questioned, “Why should we aspire for our nation to emulate ‘China’s Israel’? Why can’t we simply define Pakistan on its own merits and strive to create a prosperous model for the world to admire?”
Why would I want my country to be like “China’s Israel?” Why can we not just define Pakistan as Pakistan itself, and make it a prosperous example for the world to follow?
Shockingly poor language to compare Pakistan with an apartheid state Pakistan doesn’t recognise. https://t.co/7RqYGG7jUn— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) September 22, 2023
He remarked, “Using such astonishingly inappropriate language to draw parallels between Pakistan and an apartheid state that Pakistan doesn’t even acknowledge is deeply troubling.”
Faisal Amin Khan, a member of PTI and the brother of party leader Ali Amin Gandapur, commented, “Drawing a comparison between your own country and a powerful nation like Israel is not a wise move.”
Highlighting the potential connection to Small’s book, he suggested that it appeared the prime minister may have perused the book “during his journey to New York.”
“Pakistan is China’s Israel” Caretaker Prime Minister of #Pakistan
Comparing ur country to a bully like Israel isn’t very smart.
PS: seems like he read Andrew Small’s book
The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics on his way to New York from which this line is taken. pic.twitter.com/xdxTm2h48D— Faisal Amin Khan (@FaisalAminKhan) September 21, 2023
Simplifying PM Kakar’s comments, PTI activist Virk Shahzaib shared on his X account, “The interim PM suggests that Pakistan holds a similar role for China as Israel does for the US.”
He strongly criticized this analogy, stating, “Using any comparison that likens Pakistan to Israel is utterly condemnable and lacks justification from any perspective.”
Hammad Azhar, a PTI leader who is currently not in the public eye, called on the prime minister to issue an apology and “retract his statement,” emphasizing, “To equate Pakistan with Israel, a nation that was established through the forcible takeover of another people’s land and sustained itself through oppression and violence, is an affront.”
In the midst of this discussion, journalists and legal professionals also weighed in on the matter.
Anwar Iqbal, Dawn’s correspondent based in the United States, posed a question on X: “What is the intended message here?”
What does he want to say? PM KAKAR:
“Pakistan enjoys a strategic r.ship with China. We are very clear that there are people who would qualify Pakistan as China’s Israel. It’s probably more a good analogy for an American audience. I appreciate the value of Israel for the US”. pic.twitter.com/DhITtZKqFa— Anwar Iqbal (@Anwardawn) September 21, 2023
DawnNewsTV host Adil Shahzeb expressed astonishment upon hearing PM Kakar’s words, which were quoted directly from the book.
Pakistan is China’s Israel 😳
WTH
— Adil Shahzeb (@adilshahzeb) September 22, 2023
Supreme Court lawyer Zahid F. Ebrahim remarked, “I had not anticipated higher standards from Mr. Kakar. However, I had expected a more principled stance from Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.”
He added, “The interim foreign minister should have strongly opposed this unnecessarily extravagant overseas trip by the caretaker prime minister.”
I did not expect better from Mr. Kakar. But, I did expect better from @JalilJilani. The caretaker FM should have vigorously opposed this outrageously wasteful foreign jaunt by a caretaker PM. pic.twitter.com/r9kmwCMod2
— Zahid F. Ebrahim (@zfebrahim) September 22, 2023
Another lawyer, Dr. Alizaan, provided clarification, stating, “He is not referring to the conduct or obligations of any specific state (Israel or Pakistan); instead, he is attempting to illustrate that, much like Israel enjoys favored status with the US, Pakistan does with China.”
This is the most insane shit ive heard.
The origin of this quote is, when a US delegate once confronted a Chinese diplomat about Beijing’s constant support for Pakistan despite alleged support for terrorism, the Chinese reportedly responded sarcastically with: “Pakistan is our… https://t.co/w7KpyACsh7
— Waqas (@worqas) September 21, 2023
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