A 1996 photo of Imran Khan with Diana, Princess of Wales. (AP file photo)

Underlining that one of Pakistan's major challenges was its foreign policy, PM-elect Imran Khan said his government would focus on bolstering ties with China, Saudi Arabia and Iran. "No other country needs peace like we do," he said while making it clear that peace in Pakistan was not dependent on its deteriorating relations with the US. In a rebuff to President Donald Trump , he said though he wished relations with the US to be mutually beneficial, they could not be one-sided.

On relations with India, he said, "This blame game that whatever goes wrong in Pakistan is because of India and vice versa brings us back to square one…This is not how we will grow, and it is detrimental to the sub-continent."

Pakistan, he said, would rather strengthen its relations with China. "They have given us a chance by investing in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor , and we also want to learn how to improve people's lives, drag them out of poverty. We will also learn how to deal with corruption," he said, making his admiration for China amply clear.

Saudi Arabia, he said, "has stood by us in our toughest times. We would like to be a reconciliatory state and help them resolve their inner tensions." The PTI chief, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban , said he would like to see open borders with a peaceful Afghanistan.

Sharing his vision for the country, Khan pledged to safeguard the interests of ordinary citizens and fight corruption. In a first, he also promised not to live in the Prime Minister's house. "Our government will decide what we will do with PM House. I would be ashamed to live in such a large house. That house will be converted into an educational institution or something of the sort," he said.

