PTV apologises for saying Imran Khan was 'begging' in China
State-run Pakistan TV has apologisied for saying Imran Khan was "begging" in China.
The Pakistani prime minister had been in China on a three-day visit. Khan had also been hoping for a bailout. Pakistan is currently undergoing a balance of payments crisis and China is one of Pakistan's staunchest allies.
On Sunday, Imran had been giving a speech at the Central Party School in Beijing. The speech was shown live on PTV (Pakistan Television Corporation).
Somebody however made a blooper and instead of writing "Beijing" — which is where Imran was — on the screen, that somebody wrote "Begging" (see pic below).
The blooper stayed on, on the top left-hand side of the PTV screen, for about 20 seconds, which was more than enough for social media to pick it up.
Expectedly, the blooper soon went viral.
PTV sources have confirmed that for the ‘Begging - Beijing’ dateline typographical error during PM @ImranKhanPTI speech in China, PTV’s Director News, Director Current Affairs, Director IT and 3 panel-personnel have been suspended and orders came directly from the PM pic.twitter.com/YRwJVt6Gz3
— Pakistan Media Watch (@PakPressWatch) November 5, 2018
PTV apologised later.
"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," PTV tweeted from its official handle.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry meanwhile has ordered an inquiry into the incident.