The former prime minister and PTI chairman, Imran Khan, was interrupted several times by the DW anchorperson, Richard Walker, while highlighting the human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). However, he still managed to earn widespread praise for his actions.
In a recent interview with a German broadcaster, the former premier was asked about his stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He refused to condemn the action, saying Islamabad’s future is tied with Moscow in terms of gas, oil, and wheat import. However, he reiterated that he was anti-war and never supported military action to solve any dispute.
When the former PM was asked about the dispute in Kashmir, he highlighted the West’s double standards on the issue. The anchor interrupted him several times, but he continued speaking on the issue.
“What about Kashmir… India has usurped the rights of Kashmiris… Kashmir is a disputed territory between Pakistan and India,” he remarked while seemingly perturbed Walker continued to stop the former premier from speaking. “I first want to move on and talk about Kashmir… this issue involves us and matters to us… what about other people not worrying about our human rights. Why we are supposed to condemn the European issues… don’t put us in a position where we have to take sides… allow us the luxury to stay neutral,” he remarked.
People belonging to various walks of life including PTI leaders and journalists heaped praise on Imran for taking a principled stance on the Kashmir dispute.
“This is how a leader who believes in his nation’s sovereignty responds to an agenda-driven Western news anchor for DW,” said former human rights minister Shireen Mazari on her official Twitter handle. “There is no dithering or defensive or whimpering approach, but the clarity of thought and expression.”
