Express Tribune: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has refused to attend the India Today Conclave in New Delhi after learning about British author Salman Rushdie’s participation.
In a statement released by senior PTI leader Shireen Mazari, Khan cancelled his participation as a key note speaker at the conclave stating that he could not even think of participating in a program that included Rushdie, who has caused “immeasurable hurt to Muslims across the globe”.
Quoting Khan, Mazari said that the party leader received the full program of the conclave last night and made his final decision early this morning.
Khan has expressed regrets to the organisers of the program.
India Today regrets Khan’s withdrawal from event
India Today Group’s Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie on Wednesday said, “We deeply regret that Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaf will not address India Today Conclave 2012 due to begin in New Delhi from March 16 because of Salman Rushdie’s participation.”