SHAFQAT MAHMOOD ANSWERS RUSHDIE ON INDIAN TELEVISION.

Press Release

March 19, 2012

PTI INFORMATION SECRETARY SHAFQAT MAHMOOD ANSWERS RUSHDIE ON INDIAN TELEVISION.

The infamous writer Salman Rushdie has attacked Chairman Tehrik e Insaf Imran Khan in a speech he made in Delhi to a conference organised by the magazine India Today. It seems that he had reserved special venom for Mr. Khan as reported by newspapers today. Among other things, he childishly compared Mr. Khan physically to Col Gaddafi. It seems that Rushdie has lost his marbles because for someone who believes that he has international stature to stoop to this level can only be described as comic. No wonder he evoked ‘gasps of surprise from the India today conclave audience’ according to the newspaper report. Further, Rushdie called Imran a dictator and said that he was scared to attend the conference in his presence.

Speaking to Indian TV channel NDTV, Information Secretary PTI Shafqat Mahmood replied to these ridiculous assertions by saying that through his controversial writings, Mr. Rushdie has hurt the feelings of Muslims all over the world. Refusing to share the stage with him was a reflection of Imran Khan’s disgust and indeed contempt for Rushdie. Mr. Khan did not want to dignify a person like him by being co-participant with him in a conference.

Shafqat Mahmood further said that people like Salman Rushdie cater to a certain lobby in the west that hates all Muslims. This becomes their ticket to fame and fortune. They win accolades and prizes not only because of their writing skills but because they run down their own religion.    

Rushdie is also putting a false spin, said Shafqat, by saying that Imran Khan knew well in advance that he was coming and should have declined to attend earlier. The fact of the matter is that the moment Mr. Khan found out – which was two days before the conference - that Rushdie would also be attending, he immediately informed the organizers that he would not participate. Despite repeated entreaties by India Today he refused to change his decision, said Shafqat.