Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar faced criticism, primarily from PTIactivists, for using what many regarded as “shockingly poor language” whendiscussing China’s strong relationship with Pakistan. This criticismemerged on social media a day after the prime minister made the comparisonduring his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations while attending the78th United Nations General Assembly in the US.
During his speech (at 55:30), PM Kakar remarked, “Pakistan enjoys astrategic relationship with China. We are very clear that there are peoplewho would liken Pakistan to China’s Israel. It is perhaps a more aptanalogy for the American audience because you understand and appreciate thesignificance of Israel for the United States.”
He made these comments in response to a question about Pakistan’srelationship with China. He went on to emphasize the commonalities betweenPakistan and China, particularly regarding regional crises and sharedpositions on issues such as the One-China policy and China’s stance onTaiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
Critics, including PTI ex-MPA Taimur Khan Jhagra, expressed their concernsabout comparing Pakistan to “China’s Israel” and urged for Pakistan to bedefined on its own merits as a prosperous example. Others pointed out thatmaking such an analogy was unwise, considering Israel’s controversialhistory.
Simplifying PM Kakar’s statement, PTI activist Virk Shahzaib stated, “Thecaretaker PM believes Pakistan is China’s Israel… To use any analogy thatcompares Pakistan and Israel is beyond condemnable and not understandablefrom any perspective.”
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Absconding PTI leader Hammad Azhar called for the prime minister toapologize and retract his words, highlighting that comparing Pakistan toIsrael, known for its history of land acquisition and oppression, was aninsult.
Journalists and lawyers also joined the ongoing discourse surrounding theprime minister’s remarks.
