In a recent development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan defended PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan against allegations of engaging with Indian journalists to further an “anti-state agenda.” The accusations surfaced amid reports that foreign and Indian lobbies have been actively supporting the PTI founder Imran Khan’s alleged anti-state activities.
Speaking to the media outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Barrister Gohar emphasised that Hasan had not engaged in any illegal activities. “Raoof Hasan is an educated individual who has consistently written articles. Journalists often have connections with other journalists. He has not done anything wrong,” Gohar stated.
The controversy stems from revelations that Hasan had maintained WhatsApp communications with American journalist Ryan Grim and later with Indian journalist Karan Thapar. On November 19, 2022, in his role as PTI’s Media Coordinator, Hasan reportedly contacted Thapar, who inquired about the possibility of interviewing PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Subsequently, on November 24, 2022, Thapar shared a YouTube interview with Hasan, which included remarks by Rana Banerji, a former official of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), regarding Pakistan’s current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. The allegations against Raoof Hasan have raised concerns within PTI’s ranks, with the party’s leadership rallying to his defense.