Pakistani TV channels withdraw reports on Trump visit
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Pakistan's Geo and ARY news channels had said US President Donald Trump was expected to visit the country in September, before withdrawing their reports.
PHOTO: AFP
- Geo and ARY News reported Donald Trump would visit Pakistan in September.
- Both channels retracted the reports, with Geo News apologising for lack of verification.
- The US embassy stated they "have nothing to announce," and the White House didn't comment.
AI generated
ISLAMABAD – Two leading Pakistani TV news channels withdrew reports on July 17 that US President Donald Trump planned to visit the South Asian nation, with one of them issuing an apology.
The White House dismissed the reports.
“A trip to Pakistan has not been scheduled at this time,” a White House official said.
Geo and ARY news channels had said earlier on July 17 that Mr Trump was expected to visit Pakistan in September.
But both later withdrew their reports.
“Geo News apologises to its viewers for airing the news without a verification,” it said.
A senior management official at ARY told Reuters that it backtracked after the foreign office said it had no knowledge of a visit.
Mr George W. Bush was the last US president to visit Pakistan in 2006.
US-Pakistan relations saw a major boost when Mr Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House in June in an unprecedented meeting. REUTERS
Field Marshal Asim Munir (second from left) was invited to the White House in June.