Imran Khan claps back at Indian journalist in Uzbekistan

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 17 July 2021

During an international conference in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan confronted an Indian journalist's question about terrorism and dialogue. He emphasized Pakistan's desire for peaceful coexistence despite challenges posed by Indian ideology.

Summary

TASHKENT—Accosted on the sidelines of an international conference in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan had a satisfying clap back for an unidentified Indian journalist who attempted to embarrass him with the old "Can terrorism and talks go hand in hand?" Geo News reported.

"Imran sahab, just answer a small question," an Indian journalist, associated with India's notorious Asian News International (ANI) agency, asked the premier as he was departing after addressing a conference on Central and South Asian countries in Tashkent.

"Can talks and terrorism go together? This is a simple question for you from India," asked the journalist.

The prime minister, however, seemed unfazed.

"We have communicated to India that we have been waiting for so long to exist together as civilised neighbours," he responded coolly. "But what can we do, when this RSS's ideology has come in the way," he sniped back.

As the prime minister and his entourage turned to leave, the journalist started hounding PM Khan, shouting his name in an attempt to get another question in.

Indian newswire ANI had featured prominently in the EU DisInfoLab's groundbreaking revelations in December 2020 regarding worldwide disinformation networks run by actors associated with the Indian government to malign Pakistan.

KEY POINTS:

• Imran Khan speaks at a conference in Tashkent.
• He responds to an Indian journalist's question on terrorism and talks.
• Khan emphasizes Pakistan's readiness for peaceful relations.
• Highlights tensions due to the RSS ideology.
• Reference to disinformation networks involving ANI.