Govt Deports Foreign Journalist For Trying to Interview Imran Khan in Jail

British-American author and journalist Charles Glass, who had been attempting to secure a meeting with theincarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was abruptly deported from Pakistan on Wednesday. The move, seen by many as an effort by the sitting government to silence political opposition, involved law enforcement agencies canceling Mr. Glass’s visa and giving him just five hours to leave the country.

Mr. Glass, 73, is a renowned journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs and World War II, with a career spanning several decades in prominent media organizations including Newsweek, ABC TV, and The Telegraph. He currently works as a freelance journalist. His visit to Pakistan aimed to provide a platform for Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to share his perspective while serving a prison sentence.

According to sources, Mr. Glass was seen outside Adiala Jail with Mr. Khan’s sister, Aleema, and was staying with Islamabad-based journalist Zahid Hussain when a large police contingent arrived. The police, led by an assistant superintendent, informed Mr. Glass that his visa had been canceled and that he had to leave the country immediately.

The police reportedly offered to accompany Mr. Glass to his hotel to collect his belongings and arrange for a flight to Abu Dhabi, which was available at 4 p.m. The journalist, who was surprised and confused by the sudden deportation order, was taken to the airport and deported to the Middle East.

The incident has sparked controversy, with allegations that the PML-N government is trying to suppress Imran Khan and his political party, PTI, which has already been blacklisted. Shahzad Akbar, a former aide to Imran Khan, mentioned the deportation on social media, highlighting concerns about press freedom and political bias.

Local authorities, including Kohsar SHO Shafqat Faiz, denied any such activity within their jurisdiction. ProPakistani reached out to IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi for comments, but there was no response at the time of reporting.