US always used Pakistan for its purpose: Imran Khan

“Whenever the US needed us, they established relations, and Pakistan became a frontline state, and then abandoned it and slapped sanctions on us when its purposes were served," the PM was quoted as saying by The News International.

The premier expressed these views during an interview with Dr Eric Li, the director of the advisory committee of the China Institute at Fudan University, the newspaper reported.

On Pak-US relations, he said there was a time when Pakistan had friendly relations with the US; and when Pakistan was no longer needed, the US distanced itself from it.

“The US helped us at that time, but as soon as the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, the United States imposed sanctions on Pakistan," the Pakistani leader said.

Speaking on the CPEC issues, Khan said: "We see CPEC and Gwadar as a great opportunity for geo-economics and the initiative is not exclusive to China and Pakistan and other countries are also welcome to invest in CPEC projects.”

Khan said he looks at China as a role model for his nation in his attempt to lift people out of poverty.

“We want to build our economy and lift our people out of poverty. Pakistan looked towards China as a role model in this regard," Khan was quoted as saying by The News International.