The media reported that a British journalist was expelled from Pakistan Wednesday, after he sought access to ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Charles Glass claimed to be a friend of Khan and arrived in Islamabad last week but was barred by the authorities from permission to meet him. Geo News, citing sources from the Interior Ministry, claimed Glass was arrested at his residence by police and taken to Islamabad's airport.
The Interior Ministry did not respond to Anatolu's request for comments on the issue.
Glass had also called, in an article he wrote to mark World Press Freedom Day last May, for the release of Wikileaks founder Assange and Khan, alleging that both were being held in jail for standing up against the US.
The expulsion came a day after Khan, presently incarcerated in Rawalpindi, had sent in his conditions for opening negotiations with the strong military establishment in Pakistan to end the political impasse that began after he was ousted in April 2022. They included restoration of the "stolen mandate" of his party, release of detained party workers, and holding of free and fair elections.
The party Khan led at the time, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, lost its election symbol in February's national vote. The independents it backed emerged as the largest parliamentary group but failed to form a government due to problems in building a coalition.
The PTI leveled "rigging" allegations against the Election Commission of Pakistan for depriving it of its mandate, which the latter has denied.
He said in a message on X that he would not go for any negotiations with the "puppet regime" and termed what he claimed undeclared martial law over Pakistan. He added that the talks should be held with the military leadership of the country—the actual decision-makers—and not the present government.
Read also | Kamala Harris to Kick Off Philadelphia Rally with Future Vice Presidential Pick
Read also | Quad Ministers Anticipate India’s Role as Host for Upcoming Summit
