PTA terms anchor Imran Khan's statement a 'blatant lie'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 April 2022

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has dismissed Imran Riaz Khan's statement about a government-ordered internet shutdown. The PTA labeled the claims as false and expressed the need for responsible media reporting.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has firmly rejected a video statement by anchor Imran Riaz Khan as "a blatant lie from a TV host to malign a government organisation" and termed it "regrettable."

In a tweet, the PTA stated that media ethics demand that he should have sought a PTA version on the issue. "PTA is reporting this irresponsible and #fabricated content to relevant platforms for blocking," it said. In his video message, Imran, a vocal supporter of ousted PM Imran Khan, had claimed that the government had ordered the PTA to shut down the internet during Imran Khan's rally in Lahore on April 21.

According to him, PTI youth and activists use the internet to mobilize and promote the party agenda. He alleged that this was the reason behind the poor internet speed.

However, in a press release, PTA clarified: "The power reconfiguration activity on a section of international submarine cable, SMW4, has been completed at around 03:00 AM, today (April 21 2022) as per schedule. This was a routine scheduled maintenance activity. All internet services are normal throughout the country."

KEY POINTS:

• PTA has termed Imran Riaz Khan's statement a blatant lie.
• PTA reported the alleged misinformation for potential blockage.
• Khan claimed internet issues were caused by a government directive.
• PTA clarified that internet maintenance was routine and scheduled.
• All internet services remain normal across the country.