PTI Denies Funding NYT Ad for Imran Khan’s Release

A full-page NYT advertisement demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has stirred political debate both in Pakistan and abroad. While the ad grabbed international attention, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party officially denied financing it, even as its supporters and affiliated accounts promoted the campaign widely on social media.

Ad Draws Global Attention

The ad, titled “Free Imran Khan,” appeared in the August 2 edition of The New York Times. It accused the Pakistani state of keeping Khan in unjust detention for over 700 days, highlighting solitary confinement, suppression of dissent, and alleged human rights abuses.

It called on the U.S. government to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions and support civilian supremacy in Pakistan. The message was blunt, emotional, and designed to appeal to an American audience, right before PTI’s planned nationwide protests on August 5.

Party Distances Itself from Funding

Despite heavy online promotion by PTI-linked accounts, the party denied any direct involvement in the ad’s funding. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that the party’s U.S. chapter was not behind the publication.

“I talked to our party in the US and they denied having given the advertisement,” Akram told The News. “They said perhaps the Pakistani diaspora, maybe a doctors’ organisation, was responsible.”

PTI USA’s official account posted a photo of the ad, claiming the Pakistani-American diaspora had taken the initiative to raise awareness of Khan’s imprisonment. The statement credited “a doctors’ group or diaspora supporters,” but did not name specific individuals.

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Who Placed the Ad?

The group behind the ad was identified as First Pakistan Global, reportedly working in collaboration with the Pakistani-American diaspora. PTI USA President Sajjad Burki tweeted in support of the effort, thanking the diaspora for their continuous advocacy.

“Full page in The NY Times about Imran Khan’s illegal detention, horrible living conditions, and demand for his release to the international community,” Burki posted.

However, no official figures were disclosed regarding the cost. Online users speculated using AI tools and public NYT rate cards, estimating the price of such an ad to be tens of thousands of dollars. The mystery surrounding the funding sparked both interest and criticism.

Online Amplification Sparks Debate

The main PTI account in Pakistan retweeted several posts highlighting the ad, including one from analyst Hussain Nadim: “Their wish is to make Imran Khan irrelevant and forgotten; ours is to make sure it remains a wish.”

While supporters hailed the move as a bold international awareness campaign, critics responded with skepticism. Veteran journalist Syed Talat Hussain mocked the shift in PTI’s rhetoric.

“From ‘Absolutely No America’ to ‘Ad-solutely Pls America’… PTI and its allies are now appealing to the same powers they previously discredited,” Hussain posted. He reminded readers that the ad was paid, not an editorial opinion by The New York Times.

Op-ed vs Advertisement Confusion

Another point of contention was confusion between editorial content and advertising. Some PTI supporters mistakenly labeled the placement as an op-ed, implying endorsement from The New York Times. Critics were quick to correct the record, emphasizing that the newspaper had simply sold ad space.

Analysts argued that misrepresenting a paid ad as editorial content can mislead the public and diminish credibility. This debate only deepened skepticism among opposition leaders, who accused PTI of manipulating perception.

Accusations of Seeking Foreign Intervention

The ad’s appeal to the U.S. government added fuel to existing political tensions. Rival parties and commentators argued that calling for foreign intervention undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Critics accused PTI of seeking validation from the West rather than building support through democratic channels at home. They said such efforts distract from internal political dialogue and may damage Pakistan’s diplomatic standing.

Protests Continue Across the Diaspora

Despite criticism, PTI maintained strong momentum abroad. On August 4, supporters held rallies in multiple American cities, as well as in London and across Europe. Protesters in the UK gathered outside 10 Downing Street, chanting slogans demanding Khan’s immediate release.

The NYT advertisement may not have been funded by PTI directly, but its message clearly resonated with party supporters around the world. As debates over political narratives and external influence grow louder, the party continues its push to internationalise Imran Khan’s imprisonment—and frame it as a global human rights issue.