Journalists at Dawn reporting on Imran Khan’s trial in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, shared on Twitter that the former Prime Minister said that although he was critical of the newspaper while he was in power, he is surprised at the outlet’s coverage since his ouster from the government. The editor at Dawn shared this on Twitter.

As per Dawn’s Malik Asad, who is covering PTI leader Imran Khan’s trial inside Adiala Prison
" ڈان اخبار پر تو میں بہت تنقید کرتا تھا حیران ہوں کہ ڈان اب میری بڑی زبردست کوریج کر رہا ہے " عمران خان کا اڈیالہ جیل میں ڈان اخبار سے وابسطہ سینئر صحافی اسد ملک @asadrp سے مکالمہ

— Zaffar Abbas (@abbasz55) January 25, 2024

Dawn reporters Saqib Bashir, Asad Malik and Amir Saeed Abbasi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Imran Khan said to reporter Asad Malik, “I have always been critical of Dawn but the coverage is stupendous now, which is surprising for me.”

" ڈان اخبار پر تو میں بہت تنقید کرتا تھا حیران ہوں کہ ڈان اب میری بڑی زبردست کوریج کر رہا ہے " عمران خان کا اڈیالہ جیل میں ڈان اخبار سے وابسطہ سینئر صحافی اسد ملک @asadrp سے مکالمہ

— Saqib Bashir (@saqibbashir156) January 25, 2024

دور اقتدار میں ڈان اخبار پر تنقید کرتا رہا لیکن اب سب سے اچھی رپورٹنگ ڈان اخبار کررہا ہے، عمران خان

— Aamir Saeed Abbasi (@AmirSaeedAbbasi) January 25, 2024

The statement spurred many, including journalists, to react. Norbert Almeida tweeted, “Always covered him he just didn’t like what was said in the past and now likes it.”

Always covered him he just didn’t like what was said in the past and now likes it.

— Norbert Almeida (@norbalm) January 25, 2024

Omar R Qureshi also joined in to share his two cents, writing, “Proof that for Imran Khan a good paper praises him and writes editorials favouring him and his party”. He went on to add that in case the former Prime Minister comes to power again, Dawn has nothing to worry about.

Proof that for Imran Khan a good paper is one that praises him and writes editorials favouring him and his party – Chalo in case he does come back to power Dawn should have nothing to worry about 😉 https://t.co/FQrxTYUS9l

— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) January 26, 2024

Lawyer and Columnist Abdul Moiz Jaferri tweeted, “Imran Khan still doesn’t get it. Everything is not about him. Journalists were not after him when they criticised him, and they were not with him when they report on his current plight. Journalism is a duty to the people. He should recognise its value.”

Imran khan still doesn’t get it.

Everything is not about him. Journalists were not after him when they criticised him, and they’re not with him when they report on his current plight.

Journalism is a duty to the people. He should recognise its value. https://t.co/Haa1xGvn9V

— Abdul Moiz Jaferii (@Jaferii) January 26, 2024

A follower jumped into the discussion as many others shared a Cartoon published on January 23 in Dawn that mocked the duplicity of Imran Khan’s stance.

I am sure this Gentleman, Rohait, is nothing but a military pay roll tout Journalist.
The picture he wants to depict here is a total lie and baseless.
Imran Khan said it many times that hes not going to talk to any anti-Pakistan. How come dawn news, who claims to be neutral,…

— Mo Usman Shk(Release Imran Khan) (@SadaatAli0) January 23, 2024

Dawn, long considered Pakistan’s ‘paper of record’, was repeatedly targeted by PTI followers for criticising Imran Khan’s government.