LAHORE (Staff Report) – Globally known news agency Reuters has withdrawn its news story which was based on an interview of Pakistani business tycoon Malik Riaz, a statement said on twitter.
The story was originally published by Reuters on March 29 with headline “INTERVIEW-Pakistani property tycoon eyes media move to protect his name” and reproduced by Daily Pakistan Global headlined “You will have a heart attack after knowing the biggest bribe I ever paid: Malik Riaz.”
Reuters’ statement further added that the story included a quote attributed to Malik Riaz Hussain about his relationship with Pakistan army chief Gen Raheel Sharif that was incorrect.
In the interview, apart from his ties with General Raheel Sharif, Malik Riaz Hussain had also disclosed the reason behind his decision to launch TV channels.
While responding to a query about the bribes he paid to certain officials, he said “you will have a heart attack if I tell you the biggest bribe I ever paid.”
When asked about reports of his weakening ties with army officials under General Raheel Sharif, Riaz said if I didn’t have good relations with General Raheel Sharif my companies’ joint ventures with army would have been shut down. I am friend with army as an institute, he added.
Reacting to the interview, Pakistan army spokesman Lt-General Asim Bajwa strongly rebutted the reports of Raheel Sharif’s relationship with Malik Riaz.
Reference Reuters Story on March 29 headlined” Interview-Pakistani property tycoon eyes media move to protect his name”-1.
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 30, 2016
Story alleged qutong Malik Riaz that he had some relationship with #COAS. I categorically rebut such uncalled for&unfounded allegation-2
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 30, 2016
#COAS has no relationship and no acquaintance with Malik Riaz.Reuters has also withdrawn its story due to same incorrect comment-3
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 30, 2016