In 2018, as Prime Minister, Imran Khan inherited a daunting list of challenges for his country, including poverty, terrorism and corruption, Lally Weymouth notes in an interview with him in The Washington Post.

On the Taliban and relations with America, Khan said, “By becoming the front-line state for the U.S. in the war on terror, this country went through hell. Over 80,000 people died in the war, and estimates are that over $150 billion was lost in the economy. Investors wouldn’t come, nor would sports teams. Pakistan was known as the most dangerous place in the world.”

Khan said he wants to improve relations with India, including resolving the Mumbai bombing case… “because it was an act of terrorism. I have opened a visa-free peace corridor with India… [so that Indian Sikhs can visit a holy shrine in Pakistan]. Let’s hope that after the election (in India in 2019) is over, we can again resume talks with India. “

For the full interview, published December 6, 2018, see:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/pakistani-leader-to-the-us-were-not-your-hired-gun-anymore/2018/12/06/e138790c-f8a5-11e8-863c-9e2f864d47e7_story.html?utm_term=.4868284d7510