In a surprising development, Prime Minister Imran Khan refused to take a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, who wanted to greet the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief over winning the July 25 general election and assuming the charge of prime minister of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Foreign Office team were present when the call was received from the French president’s office, but Prime Minister Imran Khan told the team that he was busy and can’t talk.
“Yes, I can confirm that French president twice called Prime Minister Imran Khan on phone, but he did not attend the call, due to his pressing official engagements,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Daily Times.
The Foreign Office team had also prepared some points for Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss during the call. French ambassador in Islamabad was privy to the matter. No official word has been issued to the media from either side on the matter.
Published in Daily Times, September 1st 2018.
