The Pakistan government has announced its intention to approach The Economist, a British media outlet, regarding a scathing write-up attributed to imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Published under the title 'Imran Khan warns that Pakistan elections could be a farce,' the article questions the legitimacy of the scheduled February 8 elections and reiterates Khan's claims of his "engineered" removal from power in 2022.
Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi stated that the government will write to The Economist, expressing puzzlement and concern over the publication of an article attributed to a jailed individual. Solangi emphasized the need to uphold ethical standards and promote responsible journalism, seeking information on the editorial decision-making process and considerations regarding the content's legitimacy and credibility.
The article has been denied by both the Pakistan government and the US Department of State. Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail on corruption charges, reiterated his concerns about the lack of a level playing field in the elections and alleged interference by the establishment. Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), insisted that the words in the article were indeed those of Khan.
Khan criticized the performance of the previous government, accused the courts of losing credibility, and alleged a deal between the establishment and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to support his acquittal and back him in the upcoming elections. The imprisoned leader expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the polls, emphasizing the targeting of PTI and denying its basic right to campaign.
The government's move to question The Economist's editorial judgement reflects concerns about the credibility and authenticity of the content attributed to Imran Khan, adding a layer of complexity to the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.
(With Agency Inputs)
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