PTI terms Salman Rushdie's remarks on Imran Khan as "childish"
Say Imran Khan expressed his disgust and contempt for Rushdie by choosing to not attend Conclave with the writer.
Writer Salman Rushdie verbally attacked Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, comparing him to deposed Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi when he took to the stage at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on Saturday. This did not sit well with PTI members who termed the writers remarks as “childish”.
The Information Secretary of PTI, Shafqat Mahmood on Monday issued a press statement deploring Rushdie’s remarks.
“The infamous writer Salman Rushdie has attacked Chairman Tehreek-i- Insaf Imran Khan in a speech he made in Delhi to a conference organised by the magazine India Today,” it read.
Mahmood continued to assert that “Rushdie has lost his marbles because for someone who believes that he has international stature to stoop to this level can only be described as comic.”
Explaining Khan’s withdrawal from the prestigious event, Mahmood said “through his controversial writings, Rushdie has hurt the feelings of Muslims all over the world. Refusing to share the stage with him was a reflection of Imran Khan’s disgust and indeed contempt for Rushdie.” He added that the decision to not attend the conclave was because the former cricketer did not want to dignify a person like Rushdie by being a co-participant with him in a conference.”
Mahmood also clarified a statement of Rushdie where he claimed Khan knew two months in advance of his participation, but chose to not attend only days before the event. “The fact of the matter is that the moment Khan found out – which was two days before the conference - that Rushdie would also be attending, he immediately informed the organisers that he would not participate. Despite repeated entreaties by India Today he refused to change his decision,” wrote Mahmood.
The Information Secretary of PTI, Shafqat Mahmood on Monday issued a press statement deploring Rushdie’s remarks.
“The infamous writer Salman Rushdie has attacked Chairman Tehreek-i- Insaf Imran Khan in a speech he made in Delhi to a conference organised by the magazine India Today,” it read.
Mahmood continued to assert that “Rushdie has lost his marbles because for someone who believes that he has international stature to stoop to this level can only be described as comic.”
Explaining Khan’s withdrawal from the prestigious event, Mahmood said “through his controversial writings, Rushdie has hurt the feelings of Muslims all over the world. Refusing to share the stage with him was a reflection of Imran Khan’s disgust and indeed contempt for Rushdie.” He added that the decision to not attend the conclave was because the former cricketer did not want to dignify a person like Rushdie by being a co-participant with him in a conference.”
Mahmood also clarified a statement of Rushdie where he claimed Khan knew two months in advance of his participation, but chose to not attend only days before the event. “The fact of the matter is that the moment Khan found out – which was two days before the conference - that Rushdie would also be attending, he immediately informed the organisers that he would not participate. Despite repeated entreaties by India Today he refused to change his decision,” wrote Mahmood.