‘Is it in his jail cell or is it India?’: Pakistan minister Asif caught in confusion over Imran Khan’s X account

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared flustered during an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan after making contradictory claims about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s X ( formerly Twitter) account.

Asif first alleged that Khan was operating his Twitter account from inside Adiala Jail in Pakistan. When Hasan reminded him that he had earlier claimed the account was controlled by India, Asif struggled to clarify.

Speechless Pakistani defense minister on his false claims “Imran Khan’s Twitter (X) account being operated from India”. pic.twitter.com/JTkImzqz62

— Khaleej Mag (@KhaleejMag) September 26, 2025

“He is operating a Twitter account from the jail cell,” Asif said, prompting Hasan to respond, “You said he was operating from India the other day… You said India is controlling his Twitter account… You just made two different allegations. Is it Imran in his prison cell or is it India?”

A visibly flustered Asif replied, “Either he is operating from the cell or he should at least identify who is operating the jail cell.”

When asked for evidence, Asif cited “intelligence sources” but refused to provide proof. “The evidence I cannot publicly disclose,” he said. When Hasan pressed further, asking, “If you cannot publicly disclose the evidence, why make the claim?” Asif replied, “No, because it is there.” On whether India controlled Khan’s account, he added, “Yes, based on, obviously, intelligence. Nobody is stating it openly.”

Hasan also questioned Asif about the current government’s handling of PTI founder Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 despite international criticism and UN experts calling his detention “illegal.” Asif dodged the question, saying, “He must prove that he has clean hands.” Khan was taken into custody from his Lahore residence following a three-year prison sentence in a corruption case.