ISLAMABAD: Charles Glass, a 73-year-old British author and journalist known for his work on the Middle East and World War II, was expelled from Pakistan after arriving to interview former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Authorities canceled his visa on Wednesday and ordered him to leave the country immediately.
Glass, a seasoned reporter and freelance journalist who has worked for Newsweek, ABC TV, and The Telegraph, had emailed Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to request permission to see the PTI founder. He informed the minister that a court injunction prevented him from meeting Khan while he was incarcerated.
Imran Khan has been jailed for nearly a year since his arrest on August 5 last year. He faces multiple charges, including terrorism and corruption, which he denies.
Reports revealed that Glass, recently seen outside Adiala jail with Khan’s sister Aleema, was at the residence of Islamabad-based senior journalist Zahid Hussain when a large police contingent visited them. Around noon on Wednesday, a team led by an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) arrived, initially requesting to meet the foreign journalist. They then informed Glass that his visa had been canceled and, after nearly an hour of arguing, the ASP told him he had to leave the country by 5 pm.
“Glass wondered how he would secure a flight and said his luggage was still at his lodgings,” sources said. The ASP offered to accompany him to collect his luggage and informed him of a 4 pm flight to Abu Dhabi, which he should take to leave the country. The ASP stated he had a clear order to deport the journalist.
Glass was taken to his lodgings to collect his luggage and then deported to the Middle East.
