Dr. Arif Alvi Clarifies Controversial Statement About Imran Khan’s Popularity

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has issued a clarification regarding his statement made the previous day, claiming that his remarks were distorted.
In a message posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the former president stated that in politics, particularly in today’s environment, it is very likely that words can be taken out of context or manipulated.
He explained that a portion of his statement circulating on social media was edited, and emphasized that there was no comparison between Imran Khan and any prophet. He firmly stated that Imran Khan is not even remotely comparable to the dust of the feet of any prophet, affirming that this is his belief, and he will continue to uphold it.
Dr. Alvi also referenced a verse from Surah Al-Hujurat (Chapter 49, Verse 6) of the Quran, urging people to verify news from reliable sources, especially when it comes from a sinner or unreliable individuals.
Acknowledging human fallibility, he stated that all humans are prone to mistakes and should constantly seek forgiveness and guidance from their Creator. He also apologized to anyone who might have been hurt by the partial video that circulated.
It should be noted that Dr. Alvi’s original statement went viral on social media the previous day, where he was quoted as saying that the level of popularity Imran Khan has received is something that even many prophets were not granted by Allah. Speaking at an event in London, the former president highlighted that a 91% approval rating for any leader is extraordinary. While he acknowledged the possibility of a slight decrease to 80%, he still emphasized that this level of popularity is remarkable. However, he quickly clarified that there was no comparison between Allah’s prophets and Imran Khan.
Following the controversy, Dr. Alvi faced intense criticism on social media.