Obviously, at the instigation of their "iron brother" China, Pakistan has declined United States' invitation for participation in the Summit for Democracy, a virtual event set to take place on December 9-10, 2021. While thanking the US for the invitation, Pakistan said that it would engage with the country on a wide range of issues "at an opportune time in the future," Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement.

The US president has extended invitations to 110 countries from various regions of the world. Russia and China were not invited to take part in the summit. From South Asia, India, Pakistan, Nepal and the Maldives have been invited, not Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan. 

"We remain deeply committed to further deepening democracy, fighting corruption, and protecting, and promoting the human rights of all citizens. In recent years, Pakistan has instituted wide-ranging reforms aimed at advancing these goals. These reforms have yielded positive results," the statement said.

“Pakistan values its partnership with the US and wishes to expand it both bilaterally as well as in terms of regional and international cooperation.”

"We remain in contact with the US on a range of issues and believe that we can engage on this subject at an opportune time in the future," the statement read.

"Pakistan will, meanwhile, continue to support all efforts aimed towards strengthening dialogue, constructive engagement, and international cooperation for the advancement of our shared goals," it concluded.

Russia and China had firmly rejected the US’ idea to hold the Summit for Democracy, saying it creates new dividing lines in the international community which contradicts the development of the modern world.

President Biden will host the Summit for Democracy, which will bring together leaders from government, international civil society, and the private sector.

The summit will concentrate on the challenges faced by democracies and will give a forum for leaders to declare both individual and collective pledges, reforms, and efforts to safeguard democracy and human rights at home and abroad.

Expressing surprise over the invitation to Pakistan, Washington-based think tank Carnegie Endowment had said "Pakistan along with Philippines and Ukraine were flawed democracies with endemic corruption and rule of law abuses. “Yet, they are important partners of the US — whether to counterbalance China influence (Philippines), withstand Russian encroachment (Ukraine), or assist with counter-terrorism (Pakistan),” it said.(SAM)