Pakistan hits out at UAE newspaper for Expo 2020 criticism

Pakistan has denounced a UAE newspaper for a "baseless and malicious" editorial claiming the country had "betrayed" the UAE during the Expo 2020 vote last month.

Earlier this week, Dubai's Gulf News published a hard-hitting opinion piece entitled Expo 2020 vote: UAE deserves answers from Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying it was "disappointed" Pakistan and Afghanistan did not back the UAE in last month's Expo 2020 vote.

"We in Gulf News were stunned and disappointed to learn that two close allies of the UAE chose not to vote for Dubai. Pakistan and Afghanistan voted for other cities despite their governments’ official assurances that they would vote for Dubai," the paper said.

The daily argued UAE's longstanding support for the two nations warranted reciprocation in the vote.

"We are disappointed because we consider those two countries to be close friends in whom the UAE has invested so much politically and economically."

However, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said it "rejected the allegations...as baseless and malicious."

"Pakistan was committed to vote for Turkey which requested for Pakistan’s support as far as back in May 2011. The UAE entered the race much later," the statement explained, adding that this was communicated to the UAE leadership.

The UAE beat Turkey, Russia and Brazil to win the bid to host the global event. Member countries cast their ballots in three rounds of voting to determine the winning bid.  

Pakistan voted for Turkey in the first round, following which they were eliminated. They then backed the UAE in subsequent rounds. "Responsible newspapers are expected to ensure greater accuracy in their reporting," the statement concluded.

READER BACKLASH

In a letter to the paper published online on Tuesday, Dubai’s Consulate General of Pakistan, Javed Jalil Khattak, harshly criticised the newspaper, saying the article was “apparently an orchestrated attempt to damage and defame the historic fraternal relations between Pakistan and the UAE.”

“The newspaper is expected to realise the negative implications of such unsubstantiated reports, which has not only hurt the sentiments of the Pakistani community but has also cast a shadow of doubt on the credibility of the newspaper itself,” Khattak said.

Pakistan Association of Dubai general secretary, Dr Faisel Ikram, agreed, saying the emirate’s Pakistani community was “deeply hurt by the strong language” used in the editorial.

“The perception created by your [Gulf News] reputable newspaper has eroded the newspaper’s creditability in the minds and hearts of the Pakistani community,” he asserted in a letter published in the newspaper’s website.

The article generated nearly a thousand comments on the Gulf News website, with several readers opposing the newspaper's stance.

"I was disheartened and amazed by your awfully shoddy and biased editorial position," commented one reader.

"Being one of your most loyal readers, I have to say I am truly very disappointed with your biased article in yesterday's front page re: Pakistan's vote on Dubai Expo 2020. Didn't know you were in the business of selling sensationalism vs journalism," said another.

Upset residents even created a Facebook group called We Demand An Apology From Gulf News, which had more than 4,000 members by late Tuesday.

Responding to the complaints, Gulf News stood by the claims, clarifying that the paper had taken “a stance on an official action taken by the government of Pakistan” and not the Pakistani community.  

“One can never doubt the contribution of the esteemed Pakistani community, as well as other respected communities, to the development of this country.

“The fact remains that the Pakistan government, despite its official pledge to the UAE, has voted for another city on the night of November 27. As an independent newspaper, we have the right to question such action and call for a justification, if there were any.”