Tag: ANI

  • Resurfaced Indian clip about Imran Khan goes viral; people divided

    Resurfaced Indian clip about Imran Khan goes viral; people divided

    An old clip from an ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sushant Sareen, whose X (Former Twitter) bio says “Senior Fellow, ORF; obsessive Pakistan watcher and hence Afghanistan, Kashmir, Terrorism, Islamism; history buff but studied economics” and Tilak Devasher, whose bio says “Author of ‘Pakistan: Courting the Abyss’, ‘Pakistan: At the Helm’ and ‘Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum. Member National Security Advisory Board” has gone viral.

    X user Hamza Azhar Aslam who according to his profile bio is a journalist and Founder & Editor of ThePakDaily posted a clip on March 17 where Smita, Sushant, and Devasher were discussing Imran Khan.

    The clip was captioned as “Indian intelligentsia discusses the cult of Imran Khan.”

    The clip states that Imran Khan’s followers are a cult and they believe in whatever Imran says.

    X users are divided after this discussion. User @CherieDamour_ said, “Even the Indians get what youthias are blind to.”

    @awaissaleem77 wrote, “Does this “intelligentsia” ever discuss Modi cult with such enthusiasm as well?”

    @mariaa_awd said, “Wowww this one really thinks Smita is Indian intelligentsia , bhai mana we are Vishwagurus but Smita aunty is not our intelligentsia by any stretch, gossip aunty at best ‍♀️

    Her kisi se impress hona band Kare … we need some confidence building workshops for sarhad paar libbus”

    @ajmalkhankakar wrote, “The Indian folks in this clip perfectly characterize and provide the most accurate description of IK’s persona and his followers.”

    @samiyanoureen6 wrote, “Are there no journalists in Pakistan with the courage to speak bluntly and honestly like this?”

    @CHSandhu886 wrote, “I love how intricate these Indian analysts are about the phenomenon of Imran Khan’s popularity, truly admire how they’ve picked up on details. Don’t think any Pakistani analyst can explain this in such detail.”

  • ANI propagating baseless propaganda against China, Pakistan: EU Disinfo Lab

    ANI propagating baseless propaganda against China, Pakistan: EU Disinfo Lab

    The European Union (EU) DisinfoLab in its latest investigative report has highlighted that leading Indian media outlet Asian News International (ANI) is engaged in baseless propaganda against China and Pakistan by referring to sources that “do not exist”.

    “The narratives pushed by these fake personae and/or organisations are almost entirely about criticising Pakistan and China, countries that are not India’s greatest allies on the international stage,” said the report called ‘Bad Sources (BS).’

    The report is a follow-up to two previous investigations published in 2019 and 2020.

    The investigation reveals that the news agency repeatedly quoted a think tank that was dissolved in 2014. Moreover, it has been using quotes from non-existent journalists, bloggers and geopolitical experts.

    “Fake personae, self-described as James Bond fans, basketball players and management consultants, became geopolitical experts quoted by ANI numerous times on topics such as Pakistan’s army doctrines and China’s ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’,” said the DisinfoLab.

    “A think tank, dissolved in 2014, is now quoted about twice a week by ANI,” as per the report.”The think tank’s website falsely mentions real Canadian university professors as participants in a conference that they never attended, even concocting false quotes by these academics,” it said.

  • Hardik Pandya opens up about ‘Rs5 crore watch’ seized by airport customs

    Hardik Pandya opens up about ‘Rs5 crore watch’ seized by airport customs

    Indian power hitter Hardik Pandya on Tuesday refuted reports that claimed two wrist watches worth Rs5 crore were seized from him at the Mumbai airport on his return from Dubai. He said that only one watch was worth Rs1.5 crore and had been taken for “proper valuation”.

    A report by news agency ANI on Tuesday said that two watches were seized by the Customs Department on Sunday night because Pandya allegedly did not have a bill for them.

    Denying the charges, Pandya posted a statement on Twitter saying, “I voluntarily went to Mumbai airport customs counter to declare the items brought by me and pay the requisite customs duty. Wrong perceptions have been floating around on social media regarding my declaration to customs at Mumbai airport, and I would like to clarify about what transpired.”

    “I had voluntarily declared all the items that I’d lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that needed to be paid. As a matter of fact, the customs department had asked for all purchase documents which were submitted; however customs is doing proper valuation for duty which I’ve already confirmed to pay,” he said.

    “The cost of the watch is approximately Rs1.5 crore and not Rs5 crore as per the rumours floating around on social media. I’m a law-abiding citizen of the country and I respect all government agencies. I’ve received all the cooperation from the Mumbai customs department and I’ve assured my full cooperation to them and will provide them with whatever legitimate documents they need to get this matter cleared. All allegations against me of crossing any legal boundaries are totally unfounded,” he added.

    The cricketer also said that he is a “law abiding citizen”, who respects all government agencies.

    Hardik was returning from Dubai after India wrapped up its stint at the T20 World Cup.

    According to ANI, Hardik Pandya’s brother, cricketer Krunal Pandya was also intercepted at the Mumbai International Airport over suspicion of being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables last year.

    Indian all-rounder Pandya is very much in the limelight for his hairstyle and body tattoo.

  • ‘I love Pakistan’ balloons found in Indian Punjab

    On August 15, India’s 75th Independence Day, balloons with ‘I love Pakistan’ imprinted on them were found in the fields of Sandoa village in the Rupnagar district of India’s Punjab, ANI cited police as saying.

    Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Rupnagar Dr Akhil Chaudhary said it can be “activities of some miscreants”, adding that a probe is underway regarding the matter.

    “It looks like balloons came from a nearby place but we can’t rule out other angles. A probe has been initiated,” Chaudhary was quoted as saying.

    Earlier, Indian forces lodged an First Information Report  (FIR) against Pakistani spy pigeon. The pigeon was allegedly carrying a “suspicious piece of paper tied to its legs” when it landed on the shoulder of an Indian army officer who was on guard duty about 500 meters from the border.

    Last year in May, Indian forces were engaged in the same operation when a pigeon with a pink patch and tag on its leg was captured as a “suspected Pakistani spy.”