Pakistani state broadcaster apologises for error during Imran Khan Beijing speech

State broadcaster issues formal apology for the wrong dateline on-screen

Pakistan’s state broadcaster has issued a formal apology after it wrongly stated that the country’s prime minister Imran Khan was in “Begging” and not the Chinese capital, Beijing. during a live address.

“This incident is regrettable,” state-run channel, PTV News wrote on its Twitter page. It added that ”strict action” had been “initiated under rules against concerned officials.”

The incorrect dateline in the top right corner of the screen appeared on screen for 20 seconds, before being removed.

The typographical error ironically came at a time when close ally China said it would be willing to offer assistance to Pakistan to help deal with its deteriorating finances – the terms of which are still being discussed.

China has pledged more than $60bn (£46bn) to Pakistan in loans and investments for roads, ports, power plants and industrial parks.

Mr Khan was speaking ahead of the China International Import Expo, part of efforts to develop China-centered trading networks while resisting pressure to roll back industry plans that Washington, Europe, Japan and other governments say violate its market-opening obligations.

“It is our sincere commitment to open the Chinese market,” President Xi Jinping told an audience of VIPs including Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as it opened on Monday. He also promised to cut costs for importers and improve consumer spending power to help boost imports.

The president made no mention of the standoff with US President Donald Trump over Chinese plans for state-led development of technology industries. But in an indirect reference to Mr Trump’s “America first” policies and threats of import controls, he appealed to other governments to “jointly safeguard free trade.”

Some 3,600 companies from 152 countries are attending the five-day event that bills itself as one of the world’s biggest buildings.

Prime ministers and other senior officials of governments including Egypt, Pakistan and Vietnam also were attending the fair. The US- China’s biggest trading partner – did not send a high-level envoy.

Agencies contributed to this report