Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday claimed that a "powerful country" that supported India, was angry with Pakistan because of his recent visit to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin.
Khan's remarks came hours after his government summoned the US Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to issue a strong demarche over the US attempt to interfere with the country's internal affairs.
While addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue, the cricketer-turned-politician stressed for an independent foreign policy and said the reason why Pakistan could not touch its peak potential was its dependency syndrome on other powerful nations, news agency PTI reported.
"A county without an independent foreign policy remains unable to secure the interests of its people," he said.
Referring to the US, he said a "powerful country" had expressed displeasure over his recent visit to Russia, the official APP news agency reported. "On the other hand, it is supporting its ally India which imports oil from Russia,” he rued.
The Pakistan premier had visited Russia to meet President Putin on February 24, just a day after Moscow ordered a "special military operation" against Ukraine.
On Friday evening, while addressing his nation, Khan had alleged that a foreign nation had sent a message that said he needed to be removed failing which Pakistan would have to face consequences.
Khan also alleges a "foreign conspiracy" against him because of his independent foreign policy and said that funds were being channelled from abroad to oust him from power.
Meanwhile, Khan's government in Pakistan is on the brink of collapse as it faces a no-confidence motion in National Assembly on Sunday. The 69-year-old embattled prime minister effectively lost the majority in Parliament after its key partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) joined the ranks of the Opposition.
(With inputs from agencies)