PTI rejects fake apology letter over Imran Khan’s anti-US remarks

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chapter in the United States has denounced a viral letter alleging that Imran Khan’s anti-US statements were being retracted.

PTI USA called the letter a forgery, claiming it was an attempt to damage Imran Khan’s reputation.

The letter, which has circulated widely, suggests PTI USA was attempting to reconcile with the US by hiring lobbying firms and apologizing for previous statements made by PTI leaders against the United States.

Sajjad Barki, Secretary of the Organization of International Chapters for PTI, dismissed the letter as “fake news.” He clarified that PTI USA had not engaged a lobbying firm but had hired Fenton Arlook LLC, a public relations firm in Washington, D.C.

Barki explained that an initial communication agreement dated July 1, 2022, was for six months, ending in December 2022, and explicitly excluded PTI as a political entity registered in Pakistan.

The contract with Fenton Arlook was limited to media engagement tasks such as issuing press releases, arranging media interviews, and providing social media consultation.

Under the agreement, Fenton Arlook received $25,000 per month, with additional expenses only approved by PTI USA.

Aatif Khan, PTI’s advisor on international affairs, further clarified that no new agreement was signed on November 7.

He reiterated that Fenton Arlook is not a lobbying firm and denied allegations that PTI USA was attempting to shift public opinion in favor of Imran Khan through US-based influence efforts.