Pakistan withdraws from 'Summit for Democracy' to appease China

Islamabad – Pakistan has refused to attend the Summit for Democracy organized by US President Joe Biden. The announcement of not attending the summit came from Imran Khan’s government after much delay with assurance to coverup that Pakistan would reach out to the US at an appropriate time. The Biden administration has excluded China from the conference, which began on Thursday. Therefore, Pakistan has opted out of the conference to appease China as Imran Khan does not have the courage to ire China at this point. These are the possible reasons for Pakistan to refuse the invitation of the Biden administration.

Last month, US President Joe Biden announced a conference of democratic nations. More than a hundred countries have been invited, including India, Taiwan, Nepal, Maldives, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the European countries. The summit, which began on Thursday, discussed dictatorship, human rights, and corruption. Biden administration had invited Pakistan for this conference.

The Pakistani government refrained from confirming their participation for the past two weeks. Just hours before the commencement of the conference, Pakistan has announced their refusal to attend. Prime Minister Imran Khan reasoned that they do not want to be a part conference as attending it would mean joining a specific group of democratic countries, which Pakistan does not intend to do.

The United States has side-lined China and invited Taiwan to attend the conference. China has criticized the US for this as China claims Taiwan to be a part of its sovereign territory. Pakistan is worried that if it participates in such a meeting, it will invite wrath from China. Therefore, it is claimed that the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan took the risk of rejecting the United States.

Chinese embassies around the world have welcomed the Pakistani stand. A Chinese media mouthpiece also said that Pakistan has stood up for the friendship. But analysts and journalists in Pakistan are criticizing the stand taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Pakistani media has been criticizing Prime Minister Imran Khan for acting on the behest of China, which sends out a message of submission to dictatorial China by surrendering its foreign policy and sovereign stand.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision could lead to a financial cornering of Pakistan by both the United States and European countries. IMF could intensify its action against Pakistan. Pakistani journalists are worried that sanctions could be imposed on Pakistan over human rights issues.