WATCH: PM Imran Khan's ‘excuse’ on French Amb issue contradicts his current stance against US

While the "threat letter" controversy lingers on, with Prime Minister Imran Khan's emphasis on declaring the United States as the responsible party for the alleged "regime change" bid, Pakistan's stance on the matter could invite US's ire and result in deterioration in bilateral ties between the two countries.

However, it may be recalled that the same prime minister, who is openly accusing the US of conspiring to topple his government, had made an excuse for not sending the French ambassador packing, saying that the move would ruin Pakistan's relations with France and the European Union.

Shutting down the French embassy in Pakistan and sending the French ambassador back to his country was one of the demands of the religious-political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan after a blasphemy case against the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was committed in France.

Here is a clip from one of the premier's addresses to the nation where he is trying to convince the nation that the government equally regards the protection of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s honour, but expelling the ambassador of France is not the solution.

"The West has made this an issue of freedom of speech and if we send back the French ambassador, some other European country will follow suit," PM Imran Khan said.

He said that if Pakistan starts sending back ambassadors of different countries, the economy will suffer, but it would not make a difference to France or any other country.

The premier said that ending ties with France means ending ties with the EU and this will scar the country's textile exports. "This will further ruin the country's employment rate with the textile factories shutting down," he added.

He further said that sending the France ambassador back will put pressure on Pakistan's economy and the rupee will depreciate. This will increase inflation and poverty. "This will only harm our country, not France," said the PM.

But this time, it seems like PM Imran Khan has a totally opposite point of view as he does not mind possibly ruining ties with the super power, US, just to assert that the no-confidence motion is a foreign conspiracy.

---

— Thumbnail image: Reuters/File