YouTuber and former TV host Imran Riaz Khan, on Friday, in his maiden interview after running away from Pakistan, described his escape from the country.

 

Imran Riaz Khan, while speaking to YouTube channel Sherin Zada, claimed that former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri assisted him in escaping from the country. “Qasim Suri asked me to shave my beard, which I refused; however, I used spray to dye my beard black before leaving Pakistan,” he said.

 

For the past month, Khan had remained out of the public eye. However, he continued to upload regular vlogs on his YouTube channel, though his videos did not reveal any background details, leaving his exact location unclear.

 

Khan clarified that he had been residing in Swat before leaving Pakistan. Prior to that, he had stayed in safe places across Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Swabi.

 

The former TV host took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to confirm that he had left Pakistan, writing, “….I am proud that my Lord granted me steadfastness against every injustice. I have endured the worst torture and terrifying imprisonment. I have been arrested 10 times and faced dozens of cases. I was even forcibly stopped from performing Hajj, but my Lord granted me patience. I have some important responsibilities to fulfil, and I will return to Pakistan soon, InshaAllah.”

 

Khan claimed that Suri introduced him to individuals who accompanied him during his escape from the country, adding, “It took us three attempts to surpass the mountains. I have walked approximately 40 hours in collective attempts.”

 

According to the YouTuber, he sustained injuries during his final successful attempt. “My cheek, thighs, and abdomen were severely injured in the third and final attempt after crossing the mountains,” he recalled.

 

Khan emphasised that it was Suri who persuaded him to flee abroad.

 

Describing his journey, Khan further claimed that he had walked 17 hours in a single day. “I rested just four times in the 17-hour-long walk. During the expedition, we had four apples and a one-and-a-half-litre bottle of water,” he claimed.

 

Commenting on his widely circulated photo, in which Khan seemed to be injured while escaping from the country, he confirmed that his companion indeed captured it.

 

The former TV host did not reveal which country he had shifted to. However, according to YouTuber Moeed Pirzada, Riaz is currently in the United Kingdom (UK).

 

“Congratulations to Imran Riaz & family for reaching the UK safe & sound! Imran & his family have suffered enormously at the hands of Pakistan’s fascist regime! And finally, he has the freedom to dissect the pathological nature of the Pakistani state! Best Wishes!” wrote Pirzada on X on Friday.

 

Many tweeps then found old tweets written by Imran Riaz in which he had ridiculed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for leaving for the UK from jail.