The state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) on Monday issued an apology after it ran “begging” instead of “Beijing” on screen during the live broadcast of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech in China.
The premier is on an official trip to the country, where he was addressing a ceremony at a central party school in Beijing which was shown by the state-run broadcaster.
During the speech, PTV had mistakenly written “begging” on screen instead of “Beijing”.
The word remained on screen for 20 seconds and was then changed.
However, the government’s mistake came under heavy criticism on social media with screenshots shared with #begging becoming a top trend on Twitter.
Later on, the state-run broadcaster also apologised via Twitter saying “Today, during a live address of the Prime Minister during his ongoing visit to China, a typographical error took place, which remained on screen for 20 seconds and later removed. This incident is regrettable. Strict action has been initiated under rules against concerned officials”.
Today, during a live address of the Prime Minister during his ongoing visit to China, a typographical error took place, which remained on screen for 20 seconds & later removed. This incident is regrettable. Strict action has been initiated under rules against concerned officials pic.twitter.com/df2Z8oib5u
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 4, 2018
Sources claimed that the state broadcaster had also terminated the services of two persons responsible for the lapse. This information could not be confirmed independently.