Web desk: Even as no protests were taking place outside Adiala Jail on Wednesday afternoon, India’s Republic TV continued to broadcast what it described as “live” coverage of PTI supporters’ protests in Pakistan. However, the demonstration had ended hours ago, at 12:30 the previous night, according to the reports.
India’s Republic TV is popularly known for its hyper-nationalist editorial stance and its proximity to the Modi government.
Covering Protest After it Ends?
At a time when the clock on multiple Pakistani channels showed 4:14 PM and Indian channels displayed 4:42 PM, Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami was still running non-stop footage of a protest that had actually ended nearly 16 hours earlier, around 12:30 AM, reportedly.
Media analysts in Pakistan say the channel’s behaviour raises serious questions about why an Indian outlet remains fixated on amplifying unrest around Imran Khan and his supporters. Many observers have also often accused these ‘channels’ of anti-Pakistan hostility.
According to Pakistani journalists monitoring the broadcast, PTI workers dispersed shortly after midnight due to cold weather.
Despite this, Goswami’s channel continued to run live tickers, implying a fresh protest was underway.
Analysts argue this “manufactured coverage” is part of a familiar pattern in which Indian media uses outdated or misleading visuals to shape a narrative of chaos inside Pakistan.
The question arises, what is the reason that someone as controversial as Arnab Goswami is covering Imran Khan and PTI day and night?
Arnab Goswami
The episode comes at a time when India is already facing mounting global criticism for its handling of another media controversy. The attempt by high-profile Indian commentators to blame the United States for the recent HAL Tejas fighter jet crash.
Prominent Indian anchors and commentators, including Arnab Goswami and retired General Bakshi, publicly alleged that the accident occurred because the US delayed the supply of GE-404 engines used in the Tejas aircraft.
Goswami went as far as to call GE “never a friend of India”, claiming Washington views India’s LCA programme as a strategic threat.
