It is understandable why the entire Pakistani population is completely invested in the rather historic elections that took place on July 25th 2018. In what is being called Imran Khan’s 22 year long struggle that has led him to his victory, certain other concerns have been expressed across the border. We found the response of Indian media rather laughable and almost flattering. While our news channels were busy providing thorough coverage of the happenings, Indian television media seemed to have halted their live streaming for it too.
This includes NDTV, India Today, Zeetv and several others. The said channels not only live streamed the elections but even broadcasted Imran Khan Victory speech.
Here are some of the main laughable comments by India Media made on the Pakistani elections:
Pakistan Roundtable Throughout Election Day, NDTV live streamed the announcement of the results while a plethora of journalists sat around discussing India’s fate in light of the elections. Several concerns were raised; the most important one being Imran Khan’s influence on the India-Pakistan relationship. Their fear seemed rather imminent as they ran headlines like:
“Will Imran Khan be good or bad news for India?”
“Imran batting an old pitch with India.”
“From playboy to Pakistan’s Prime Minister.”
“Cricketer, Casanova to a religious politician.”
Where Imran Khan stated the relationship of the subcontinent a two way street and one that has badly impacted both, the Indian media reported that Imran only blamed them. This led to an all-day “Pakistan Round Table” as the journalist journeyed through time discussing Imran’s struggle and how he may not entirely be good news for India. Blast from the past In an attempt to remind Imran of the incentive behind his political journey, the Indian media went so far as to dig up an old and rare interview conducted in 2009. Piloted by India Today as the headline ran “Imran sheds his playboy past,” the channel streamed an interview in which Khan vocalizes his belief of coming into power one day. He goes on to express his desire to alter his country’s political happenings and lead it to a lighter opening and out of the dark tunnel. The interview was introduced as the journalist expressed the interest of the Indian population in what Khan’s leadership meant for India. The interview was aired to serve as a reminder to Khan that certain promises were made years ago and must not be forgotten. Reham Khan’s Interview The lowest that the Indian media could stoop was get in contact with Reham Khan residing in London. The interview that went on for almost 30 minutes and went off tangent on several occasions. Drafted in the desperate attempt to “expose” and “humiliate” Khan and Pakistan’s choice, Reham was able to inflict both sentiments only upon herself. Calling her marriage to him unfortunate , calling him a promiscuous sex-fiend with various romantic partners in the past, Reham Khan’s interview seemed orchestrated merely to reinforce India’s fear that Imran did not desire cordial terms. She calls Imran Khan a hypocrite for being “too liberal” in real life and a “conservative religious fundamentalist” for Pakistan. Her interview was cringe worthy to say the least as she shared what she allegedly claims to be her intimate time spent with Imran. The interview can be called the last desperate and rather failed attempt by the Indian Media. Musharraf’s inquiry Soon after Reham Khan’s ridiculous statements an interview with ex-President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf followed. Let’s just say the tone of the two conversations was very different. In his quintessentially assertive and buoyant disposition, Musharraf expressed his hopeful expectations from Khan’s leadership. Even though the interview was steered into the direction of terroristic activities in the past, Rajdeep Sardesai failed to shake Musharraf.
The ex-President continued to reinforce the flawed concept of the Indian media that only Pakistan was to blame for their perilous relationship.
He was vocal in ensuring the message was conveyed that Khan is the best possible choice for Pakistan and was in no mood to listen to the derogatory opinions of his neighboring country. As opposed to Reham Khan’s cringe worthy conversation, Musharraf’s interview was every Pakistani’s mic drop moment. The unveiled fear Throughout each interview conducted, one prevalent theme was noticed and that was India’s imminent fear. They continued to question what Imran Khan leadership is meant for them. Khan’s alleged allegiance with the Taliban was discussed; his affiliation with the army was also toyed with. Despite all the inquisitions and accusations, the Indian media seemed to be attempted it’s very best to taint the newly established Prime Minister’s image while poorly cloaking their distress. We hope Imran coming into power proves fruitful for Pakistan across the globe and all the anxieties of the neighboring countries are put to rest, once and for all.
On a more positive note, several Bollywood stars also took to social media to congratulate Imran Khan on his win and wished him the best for his upcoming tenure as PM.
Once asked @ImranKhanPTI with a bucket of scepticism whether he ever really seriously thought he would be Pak PM. His response: it’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’! Today,he’s proved all the sceptics wrong like when he did when winning the 92 World Cup! Good luck Mr Khan! ???? — Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 26, 2018
His victory speech at 92 cricket World Cup made my father predict- “yeh banda pakka ek din Pakistan ka PM banega.” And it happened today. Congrats @ImranKhanPTI sir. Have always been a fan. Now you have the biggest responsibility of bringing peace and harmony in the subcontinent. — Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) July 26, 2018
Though it is plausible why Indian media would fear Imran Khan coming into power, it is rather hilarious how they’re having trouble concealing it. In all processions that followed, the journalists voiced a singular concern repeatedly – “What does Imran Khan coming into power mean for India?” Each journalist attempted to remind their population of the precarious relationships they share with Pakistan. The likes of 26/11 were constantly discussed and Pakistan was blamed for avoiding amicable relationships with their former tenants.