Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has cancelled his participation as a keynote speaker in the India Today Conclave being held in New Delhi.
The cricketer-turned politician took the decision soon after he came to know that Salman Rushdie was also participating in the event, said a PTI statement issued on Wednesday.
Khan, it said, expressed his regrets to the organisers.
“He could not even think of participating in any program that included Salman Rushdie who has caused immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe,” the statement quoted the PTI chief as saying.
Khan only received and saw the full programme of the Conclave last evening and took action early this morning to cancel his participation, the statement said.
Rushdie is believed to have hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims across the globe by the publication of his book “Satanic Verses”.
The organiser of the India Today Conclave said he “deeply regrets that Imran Khan will not address the India Today Conclave because of Salman Rushdie’s participation. The India Today Conclave is a platform for free and frank exchange of ideas. We do not endorse the views of any of our speakers but we do stand for the freedom of expression in all that we do; it’s an essential principle of a free nation and free media”.
He said the conclave, “now in its 11th year has established itself as an independent and credible forum for thinkers and leaders from around the world not all agreeable to everyone. We wish that Imran had used this opportunity to express his views at the Conclave with all the force and lucidity that he possesses. We can all agree to disagree but we must present our argument”.
Kashmir issue must be recognised as political issue: Meanwhile, talking to Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal, Khan said that Kashmir must be recognised as a political issue to be resolved at the dialogue table.
“What is needed is two strong leaders who can carry their people with them. We need a bold leadership to explain to people the gains from developing the full potential of the subcontinent. We have to sell the idea of dividends of peace and to get out of the past.” Khan referred him to Dr Mazari’s bold idea of civil nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and India which was further explained by her.
Kasuri reaffirmed his support for Khan’s vision and referred to the need for a “peace with honour” on Kashmir.
The high commissioner talked of how Mumbai was a major setback for relations between the two countries. But he said commercial relations were on track and on Jammu and Kashmir, he referred to the movement on travel and trade across the LoC. Presently, according to Sabharwal, trade across the LoC was now four days a week. He said the Indians were also looking at making an easier visa regime.
Khan pointed out that the problem in moving forward in relations was the weak and corrupt government in Pakistan “which cannot carry the people with it”.
He felt Pakistan was poised to take off but the country needed to get out of the debilitating war on terror. He cited the EU example as a means of improving the lot of the people.
Imran refuses to sit next to Rushdie
