Sent teetar, goose, desi chicken dishes to Imran Khan before leaving country: Aftab Iqbal

Former TV host Aftab Iqbal claimed on Thursday that he had prepared and sent a breakfast of teetar (francolins), desi murgh (organic chicken), and geese to former premier Imran Khan a day before running away from the country.

In an interview with ex-TV host Imran Riaz Khan on his YouTube channel, Iqbal said, “I personally cooked the food the entire night with the help of two assistants,” so that it could be sent to Imran Khan before Iqbal's departure

He further stated that after arriving in Dubai, he asked Imran Khan about the food via text; the latter responded that he had expected it for dinner instead of breakfast. “I have rarely tasted such delicious food. It was so delicious,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

Recalling the time Imran Khan scolded him, Iqbal tells Riaz, “The last time I was berated by Imran Khan was on texts. Imran Khan told me that you sound very disappointed and dismayed. If you panic, then your listeners will panic as well.”

“You are looking disappointed. I’m not enjoying talking to you today,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

Iqbal then made a bizarre comparison between jailed Imran Khan and South African leader Nelson Mandela, claiming that Mandela did not endure as many hardships despite serving 27 years in prison in solitary confinement.

Meanwhile, Riaz interrupted Iqbal by arguing that President Asif Ali Zardari served time in imprisonment while living in a palace, which was connected to his jail. Multiple people were present there to serve Zardari.

“I’m a witness to Nawaz Sharif's imprisonment. Nawaz Sharif Sahab’s doctor always remained with him. Mian Sahab enjoyed imprisonment as all of his meals were delivered from Raiwind,” Riaz said, adding that Imran Khan had not even eaten homemade food for a single day since he landed in jail.

Both YouTubers offered no proof of their statements. 

It should be mentioned here that Riaz had left the country last month. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that he had left the country. 

“….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,” Riaz wrote on X.

Imran Riaz Khan, in his maiden interview after being run away from the country on the YouTube channel Sherin Zada, had 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.