The article published in The Economist titled ‘Imran Khan warns that Pakistan elections could be a farce' has sparked controversy regarding its authorship, attributed to Imran Khan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has clarified that the article was indeed authored by Imran Khan himself, who is presently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi due to his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case and facing multiple other charges.
The write-up reiterates Khan's concerns about his removal from power in 2022, which he alleges was orchestrated by external pressures and laments the lack of fairness in the upcoming elections.
However, this assertion has been challenged by both the Pakistani government and the US Department of State, raising doubts about Khan's direct involvement in composing the piece. There were speculations among observers regarding the authenticity of Khan's personal involvement in crafting the essay. Reports suggested that Khan had stated he did not physically write the essay but rather dictated the points, which were then translated into the article using artificial intelligence.
In response to these speculations, the PTI released a statement on social media asserting that Imran Khan, despite his imprisonment, directly authored the piece without the use of artificial means or AI. They called for local media to present this clarification prominently.
The former ruling party emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and urged local media to highlight their clarification regarding the authorship of the article.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan addressed the doubts during a discussion with journalists at Adiala Jail, confirming that he had verbally dictated the article.
Additionally, the caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi indicated that the government intends to contact The Economist regarding the essay attributed to Khan, aiming to understand the editorial decision-making process and the credibility of the content.
Imran Khan served as Pakistan's prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022 and was removed through a vote of no-confidence. His international media appearances ceased after his incarceration, limiting his communication to lawyers and family members. However, the PTI found unconventional ways to convey Khan's messages, such as an AI-generated address delivered in his voice during a recent virtual rally.
Moreover, Khan reportedly wrote to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Esa, seeking protection for the party's fundamental rights amidst these developments.
(With Agency Inputs)
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