ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Thursday alleged that a speech delivered by Imran Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was part of an “anti-state plot,” while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed regret that a son’s appeal to meet his father was being politicised.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister claimed the speech delivered in Geneva was “dictated” and linked it to an alleged effort to undermine Pakistan’s GSP Plus trade status. He accused PTI-linked figures, including Zulfi Bukhari, of facilitating the move in coordination with Indian rights activist Arif Ajakia and Baloch nationalist Naseem Baloch.
Tarar warned that any attempt to jeopardise the GSP Plus status could have serious economic consequences, including losses for exporters and job cuts. He highlighted Pakistan’s strong global reputation in exports such as sports goods — including footballs used in the FIFA World Cup — as well as garments, rice, mangoes and banaspati products. The minister alleged that the sons of PTI founder Imran Khan had not returned to Pakistan on NICOP and were becoming part of activities against the country’s interests. He claimed that despite facilitating telephonic contact with their father, elements associated with the PTI continued to engage in “conspiracies”.
Tarar accused Ajakia of campaigning internationally against Pakistan alongside Naseem Baloch and termed their alleged links with Zulfi Bukhari part of a broader effort to damage the country’s economy. He also criticised PTI’s performance during its time in government, referring to unmet promises and past controversies. Reaffirming the government’s stance, Tarar said such attempts would not derail Pakistan’s progress and stressed that national interest must take precedence over individual or political agendas.
The minister criticised the PTI for “prioritising personal agendas over national interests”, asserting that Pakistan would continue to move forward despite political challenges.
Stressing that no political party is above the state, Tarar said Pakistan has provided its citizens with opportunities and platforms, but national interest must always take precedence. While acknowledging that political rivalry is natural, he said subordinating the country’s interests to personal agendas was unacceptable.
In response to Information Minister Atta Tarar’s allegations, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram categorically rejected claims that Kasim Khan, in his short speech, called for the revocation or suspension of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status. In a statement to ‘The News’, he questioned why the PTI, its founder Imran Khan, or his family would seek to harm the country or its people. “We want this status to be expanded so that the economy and the people of Pakistan can benefit further,” he said.
PTI’s Central Media Department also issued a formal statement condemning what it termed “misleading propaganda” against Kasim Khan, accusing the government of attempting to divert attention from ongoing political and economic challenges. Reacting to what he described as a “malicious campaign,” Waqas said the government had politicised a son’s personal appeal to meet his father, alleging that remarks made at the UNHRC were being deliberately misinterpreted for political purposes.
Terming the controversy a “deliberate misrepresentation”, Waqas accused government supporters of distorting facts to shape public perception.
