Two major Pakistani news outlets — Geo News and ARY News — have formally retracted and apologized for airing unverified reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump was planning to visit Pakistan in September. The initial claims created a wave of speculation across media and diplomatic circles before being debunked by both U.S. and Pakistani officials.
What Happened:
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Multiple Pakistani TV channels reported that Trump was scheduled to visit Islamabad, and might visit India afterward.
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Geo News later admitted the report was broadcast without verification, issuing an on-air apology:
“Geo News apologises to its viewers for airing the news without a verification.”
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An ARY News senior executive confirmed to Reuters that their report was withdrawn after Pakistan’s Foreign Office denied any such development.
Official Clarifications:
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A U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Islamabad told Reuters:
“We have nothing to announce.”
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A U.S. government official added:
“A trip to Pakistan has not been scheduled at this time.”
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Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, confirmed to Dawn.com:
“We have no information about this matter.”
Context:
While the visit was a fabrication, U.S.-Pakistan ties have recently seen a warming trend. Last month, Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House — an extraordinary move, marking the first time a Pakistani military leader was welcomed in such a manner by a U.S. President.
Historical Perspective:
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The last official visit by a sitting U.S. President to Pakistan occurred in 2006, when George W. Bush toured the country.
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Trump, during his presidency, never visited Pakistan despite repeated invitations.
Trump’s Confirmed Schedule:
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While not heading to South Asia, Donald Trump will be visiting the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
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This will be his second state visit to the UK — a rare diplomatic occurrence that has drawn significant attention from royal watchers and political analysts alike.
Summary:
The now-retracted reports about Trump’s Pakistan visit underscore the dangers of premature reporting in high-stakes geopolitical contexts. The swift denials by U.S. and Pakistani officials, followed by public retractions by leading media outlets, serve as a reminder of the importance of verification, especially in international affairs.
