PTI is accusing the local media of twisting Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent interview with Financial Times. PTI leaders have taken to social media to criticize Pakistani media for allegedly misquoting Imran Khan.
Imran Khan’s interview with Financial Times caused quite a controversy. In the interview, Imran Khan talked about Pakistan’s relations with the US. He said that he desires “dignified” ties with the US and has always been against the US using Pakistan as a “slave”.
“Our relationship with the US has been as of a master-servant relationship, or a master-slave relationship, and we’ve been used like a hired gun. But for that, I blame my own governments more than the US,” Imran Khan said in the interview.
Imran Khan also expressed his readiness to mend ties with the US.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over, it’s behind me. The Pakistan I want to lead must have good relationships with everyone, especially the United States,” Imran Khan also said. Needless to say, this statement caused quite a storm in Pakistan as Imran Khan had previously accused the US of conspiring to remove him from power in April. The statement was taken as an apparent “U-turn”.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lashed out at Imran Khan in a post on Twitter on Monday evening, saying his predecessor’s interview with the Financial Times was a “reminder of vicious role he played to harm Pakistan’s external relations.”
“Niazi’s interview with FT in which he rebutted his foreign conspiracy theory is a reminder of the vicious role he played to harm Pakistan’s external relations while pursuing his own petty politics. Nation shocked by his deceit and treachery inflicting irreparable damage on Pakistan,” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
Apologise to nation for spreading fake propaganda Baysharam aadmi pic.twitter.com/PZKtnvpZIb
— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) November 14, 2022
PTI defends Imran Khan
Following the interview which made headlines in Pakistan, PTI immediately rushed to defend Chairman Imran Khan. PTI leaders called out local media houses for misquoting Imran Khan.
“What was said and what was reported are two different things! Sadly, some twisted minds keep trying to spin things, but end up eating their own words when the truth is unveiled! Some never learn and some don’t want to learn,” PTI’s Ali Haider Zaidi tweeted.
What was said and what was reported are two different things!
Sadly, some twisted minds keep trying to spin things, but end up eating their own words when the truth is unveiled!
Some never learn & some don’t want to learn.pic.twitter.com/zzDmHvy9lw
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) November 15, 2022
PTI leader and former federal minister Shireen Mazari, while hitting back at PM Shehbaz said that he did not understand the Financial Times interview.
I realise u r very dumb & could not understand the FT interview but fact is IK reiterated the US threat & never denied the conspiracy. All he said was we have moved on to demand early fair & free elections & restated his position for 26 yrs that we want good relations with US but https://t.co/p4xwjzGpv9
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 14, 2022
Former SAPM Dr. Shahbaz Gill accused the media of lying and called twisting statements, manufacturing lies, and misrepresentation their mission statement.
Dawn yet again blatantly lying. Imran khan said the issue is behind me NOT that it didn't happen.
Twisting statements , Manfacturing lies, misrepresentation, this is today’s Dawn’s mission statement. pic.twitter.com/fVbiZr7uDl
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) November 14, 2022
Similarly, former Energy Minister Hammad Azhar also lashed out at the media for misquoting Imran Khan.
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“Headline twisting and angling have taken extreme forms in Pakistan these days. Domestic arm-twisting, strong editorial prejudices and international aid flows to media outlets in Pakistan combine to create ridiculous headlines,” Hammad Azhar said.
Headline twisting & angling has taken extreme forms in Pakistan these days. Domestic arm-twisting, strong editorial prejudices and international aid flows to media outlets in Pakistan combine to create ridiculous headlines. pic.twitter.com/Pcg0tqcDVv
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) November 14, 2022
Later, Imran Khan himself released a video statement where he alleged that a “propaganda cell which feeds to those journalists which are in their [government’s] pockets. Whenever I give an interview, they are told to specifically pick particular parts from it, and share it without context.”