Imran criticises Aman ki Asha, Geo says his party backed it

Karachi: A leading Pakistani media group today said its 'Aman ki Asha' project to promote peace with India was backed by Imran Khan's party, the ISI and others, dismissing allegations levelled by the cricketer-turned- politician that it received funds from abroad for the venture.

The controversy erupted after Khan claimed that though Geo TV was running "Aman ki Asha" project for friendship with India, the same channel was rooting for a war on the western border.

He also accused Geo TV of receiving funds from "abroad" for the project, a joint initiative of the Geo network and a media house in India.

The project is an initiative of the Geo network -- a part of Jang Group -- and a media house in India.

Khan and his party have been boycotting the news network for their role in supporting the alleged rigging in last year's general elections.

Reacting to Imran's allegations, Jang Group Managing Director Shahrukh Hassan has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman "himself remained in favour of Aman ki Asha project". Hassan said "that the government officials were given briefing over the programme while Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) former chief Lt General (retd) Ahmed Shuja Pasha, civil society and political parties also supported the Jang group's initiative".

He said that leaders of Khan's party -- Asad Umar and Shafqat Mehmood -- are part of the Aman ki Asha committee.

Terming the allegations levelled by Khan as "baseless", Hassan said that Imran has made personal attacks at D-Chowk yesterday and so they would move the Supreme Court against him, The News daily reported.

Hassan said that industrialists and traders also backed 'Aman ki Asha' project and that improved relationship with the India would bring economic growth in the region.