Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) Amid swirling rumours about the health and whereabouts of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a purported letter claiming that India has sought his custody as a “political prisoner” has gone viral on social media. The government has dismissed the document as “fake” and cautioned citizens against believing or circulating such misinformation.
The forged letter, purportedly addressed to Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, is shown as coming from the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Pakistan–Afghanistan–Iran (PAI) division. It opens with a claim that the message is being sent “through the restricted diplomatic channel in view of the sensitivity of the matter,” and goes on to falsely assert that India is expressing concern over the “personal security and physical wellbeing of Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, currently under detention” in Pakistan.
“Our assessment units have received inputs suggesting a rising risk environment around Mr Khan due to internal political tensions, factional hostility and the increasing volatility inside detention facilities. While the internal decisions of the Government of Pakistan remain entirely your sovereign domain, this concern is rooted in the lessons drawn from regional history, including the case of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whose safety repeatedly required exceptional protective measures during periods of political confrontation,” it went on to add.
“In light of these parallels and in the interest of regional stability, we request that the Government of Pakistan consider transferring Mr Khan temporarily to a secure location under a mutually agreed protective framework. This request is being made with all respect for your legal procedures and without any intention to interfere in the judicial process. The sole purpose is to prevent any outcome that could escalate tensions or generate irreversible consequences,” it stated further.
In a statement issued on X, the Press Information Bureau stated that the letter is fake and fabricated by Pakistani propaganda handles.
“Several Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a letter on social media, claiming it to be a top-secret Ministry of External Affairs document that allegedly leaked online. The fabricated letter claims that the Indian Government has requested Pakistan to send Imran Khan to India as a political prisoner,” PIB wrote on X.
“This letter is fake. The claims being made in this letter are false, baseless, and part of an ongoing disinformation campaign being pushed by Pakistan against India. Do not share unverified content. Trust only official Government of India sources for accurate information,” the post read further.
