Saudi Arabia
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman once gave his private jet to send Imran Khan to the U.S. There, instead of supporting Saudi Arabia, Khan criticized it to please the Americans. On his return, MBS humiliated him by ordering him to leave the private jet and use economy class.
On the advice of his wife, Bushra Bibi, Khan tried to take revenge by pushing for a new “Islamic bloc” with Turkey and Malaysia, sidelining Saudi Arabia and the OIC. When MBS heard this, he summoned Khan, threatened to cut off oil supplies, and even warned of sending Pakistani workers back home. Humiliated, Khan returned, but in a cabinet meeting insulted MBS with harsh words. When this reached the Saudis, they demanded Pakistan return $3 billion deposited in its central bank. Only after Pakistan begged, and China provided $1 billion as support, were things settled. Even then, Shah Mehmood Qureshi publicly said, “We must move forward without Saudi Arabia.”
Turkey
Imran Khan failed to attend a conference in Turkey that he himself had pushed for. This angered President Erdogan. When Khan later visited Turkey to make amends, not a single Turkish official came to receive him at the airport — a video of this exists. Erdogan then openly declared that Khan broke his promise under Saudi pressure.
Malaysia
Malaysia hosted an Islamic Summit at Khan’s request. Prime Minister Mahathir even prepared and spoke to his people about it. But Khan backed out at the last moment. Mahathir faced great embarrassment, something that had never happened before in his career. After that, he never mentioned Imran Khan’s name again.
China
Despite a confidentiality agreement, Khan’s government allegedly shared sensitive CPEC details with the U.S., which angered China. As a result, China froze CPEC projects. Later, when a Chinese delegation came, Minister Murad Saeed insulted them over perfume fragrance — leading China to blacklist him, the first Pakistani minister ever banned.
When Khan visited China afterward, he was humiliated: only a municipal official received him, and President Xi kept him waiting three days before granting just a few minutes. To cover up, PTI’s media team spread propaganda that “Putin had invited Khan to Russia.”
Russia
Khan visited Russia on the exact day it invaded Ukraine. Putin used Khan’s presence to show the world that Pakistan was on his side. Khan didn’t even politely suggest Putin delay the invasion until after his visit. On returning, Khan claimed he had secured cheap oil and wheat from Russia, but this was impossible due to sanctions. Later, when Pakistan actually imported cheap wheat, Khan protested — making him the first leader to oppose falling food prices.
European Union
After the invasion, EU countries asked Khan to condemn Russia. Instead of giving a diplomatic reply, he mocked them in a rally, saying: “Are we slaves to obey everything you say?” This reckless statement almost led the EU to ban Pakistan’s exports, which was only avoided due to the army’s diplomatic efforts.
United States
Khan complained that President Biden never called him. With Gen. Bajwa’s help, he met Trump, but in a 40-minute meeting, spoke for only 3 minutes, mostly agreeing with Trump. On Aafia Siddiqui’s case, he laughed off a question. Later, Khan said he was as happy as when he won the World Cup.
During the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Khan helped but failed to secure any benefit for Pakistan. He even allowed thousands of Afghan allies of the U.S. into Pakistan. Still ignored by Washington, Khan gave an interview saying he opposed nuclear weapons. When asked if he’d give U.S. military bases, he famously said “Absolutely Not” — which was widely promoted, though irrelevant, since the U.S. never asked for them.
Iran
On a visit to Iran, Khan surprisingly said: “Terrorism in Iran is coming from Pakistan.” His own delegation was shocked. Gen. Asim Munir, then ISI chief, disagreed strongly, arguing it made Pakistan look guilty. Yet, Khan avoided discussing Iran’s role in Balochistan or the Kulbhushan spy case.
Afghanistan
Instead of securing promises from the Taliban to prevent terrorism, Khan agreed to bring 40,000 militants and their families into Pakistan. He also supported giving Pakistani citizenship to millions of Afghan refugees, ensuring they would never be sent back. Some of those freed militants are now active in terror attacks inside Pakistan.
India
When India annexed Kashmir, Khan simply asked, “What should I do, attack India?” Instead of going to the UN or World Court, he told Pakistanis to observe one minute of silence and honk their car horns at Modi’s posters.
When India bombed Balakot, Pakistan responded by bombing an empty field. A captured Indian pilot, Abhinandan, was quickly returned after Modi threatened retaliation.
United Kingdom
Bushra Bibi forbade Khan from visiting the UK, fearing he might reconnect with his ex-wife Jemima. Eventually, under military pressure, Khan agreed to a state visit. But at the last moment, he backed out — humiliating the British ambassador, who had already informed London. Jemima later mocked this on Twitter with a picture of a sorceress, implying Bushra’s “magic” stopped him.
Conclusion
During this period, it was said: “If you want to spoil relations with any country, just send Imran Khan there.” Often, by the time he returned,
one country was unhappy, and two more had been offended.