Ill-timed poetry critical of PM Imran raises eyebrows in Dushanbe

The business community delegation, which accompanied Prime Minister Imran Khan on the two-day visit to Tajikistan, has denounced the inappropriate act of one its members who criticised the premier with his ill-timed poetry during a bilateral business seminar in Dushanbe.

Khalid Amin, who is vice chancellor of Indus University and part of the Pakistani businessmen delegation, during question and answer session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Business Forum in Dushanbe started reciting poetry critical of PM Imran and his government.

His act created an awkward situation at the event with PM Imran interrupting him, saying discuss only business related matters and poetry session can follow later.

Business leaders including Patron Chief of Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) Waheed Ahmed also demanded carrying out an inquiry as to how Amin was made part of the delegation.

The PFVA chief also condemned his act on Twitter and announced his disassociation with the Indus University VC.

He said that the delegates and hosts of the seminar were also taken aback by the inappropriate act that turned the business forum environment unpleasant.

Prime Minister Imran however immediately intervened and diverted the audience’s attention towards economic and trade related matters.

Ahmed said that all the members of the business community who participated in the event expressed their displeasure and condemned the callous behaviour.

The members of business community have urged the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant departments to carry out background check including examining political affiliation before selecting delegates for international trips.

“At a time when change in Afghanistan is opening up new possibilities for Pakistan in the region, especially in the Central Asian states, the behaviour of Khalid Amin has given a very bad impression,” the PFVA chief tweeted.