London: Former anchor and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan has arrived in London after secretly fleeing Pakistan, his family confirmed. Riaz, who had been facing multiple cases and alleged persecution, described his escape as treacherous, dangerous, and full of ordeals in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
A Risky Escape from Pakistan
Riaz, who had gone missing for several months in 2023 before being recovered in September of that year, said that despite previously vowing never to leave Pakistan, the circumstances had forced him to make a difficult decision.
He expressed gratitude to Qasim Suri, the former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, for persuading him to leave Pakistan “for the sake of Pakistan.” He also posted a picture of himself with visible injuries, reportedly sustained during his escape.
Family’s Perspective on His Exit
A relative of Riaz stated:
“He is a patriotic Pakistani who left the country for Pakistan’s sake. Living in Pakistan had become impossible for him. He was facing serious threats to his life, and we are lucky that he is alive and safe. He will return when the situation allows.”
The Journey Through a Secret Land Route
Riaz disclosed that he fled Pakistan via a ground route, rather than traveling by air, but refrained from sharing details about how he managed to cross the border. He stated that he had to be extremely cautious to avoid detection by authorities, which is why he continued posting videos and staying active on social media to create the illusion that he was still in the country.
His journey lasted several weeks, during which he reportedly traveled on foot through hilly and barren regions. According to Riaz, he faced attacks from wild animals and suffered serious injuries.
“I was accompanied by just one brave man who helped me through this difficult journey. Qasim Suri stayed in touch with me the entire time, staying awake for four nights in a row to provide guidance and support.”
After reaching London, Riaz reunited with his family, who had also left Pakistan in the past year due to security concerns.
Legal Troubles and Political Controversies
Imran Riaz Khan has faced multiple legal issues over the past few years, including accusations of spreading false information through his social media platforms. His name had been added to the Exit Control List (ECL) multiple times, preventing him from traveling abroad. In July 2023, he was detained at the airport while attempting to go for Hajj and had previously complained of being persecuted due to his political beliefs.
His content has been widely followed, particularly by pro-PTI supporters, but he has also faced criticism for allegedly spreading unverified news. Addressing this in a recent interview from London, he admitted:
“I am human, and we all sometimes end up giving out fake news. However, I have always deleted any inaccurate information when it was pointed out.”
Claims of US Visa and FIA Cybercrime Investigations
Earlier, former Junoon band member Salman Ahmed claimed that he had arranged a US visa for Riaz, but sources close to the YouTuber denied this.
Additionally, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Circle recently arrested eight individuals for politically motivated content manipulation, including posts linked to Imran Riaz Khan and Shehbaz Gill. The arrested individuals were accused of spreading digitally altered images of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Past Incidents of Sharing Misinformation
Fact-checking organizations have previously identified instances of false or misleading news shared by Riaz. In 2023, he falsely claimed that a fire at the Quetta Customs Intelligence office had destroyed all records, while official reports confirmed that the fire had occurred months earlier and that only some documents were damaged.
Conclusion: Future Plans and Uncertain Return
Despite his departure, Imran Riaz Khan has assured his followers that his stay abroad is temporary.
“I told my children that I am not happy to be out of Pakistan. I will return when the situation is right.”
His future remains uncertain, as he continues to navigate legal and political challenges while living in self-imposed exile.
