The prime minister told the interviewer that friendly countries like China were supporting Pakistan despite the fact that Imran Khan had hurt their brotherly ties.
Khan was ousted from office by a no confidence vote last year, and has been snarled in a series of legal cases as he campaigns for early elections and his return to office.
Police hit Khan supporters in baton charges and lobbed tear gas canisters, some of which landed on the lawns of Khan's house, according to video images released by his party.
The battle for Bakhmut has become the focus of Russia's winter campaign to capture Ukraine's eastern region, with both sides describing it as Europe's bloodiest infantry battle since World War Two.
During the 2020 presidential race, Joe Biden had vowed not to approve any new oil and gas leases on public lands and he had been under intense pressure from environmentalists not to approve the so-called Willow Project.
