Reacting to a news story published in a section of the Pakistani press regarding the Foreign Minister’s visit to New York, the Spokesman said that the story was based entirely on concoction and fabrication. Contrary to the assertions made in the story, the Foreign Minister was accompanied by only one of his staff officers. He was not leading a “six-member entourage”. Nor did the Foreign Minister stay in a hotel room the rent of which was $ 5,000 per night. The rent of the room in which the Foreign Minister stayed was $ 358 per night. Therefore, the payment of $ 20,000/- as claimed in the story, did not arise.

Such false and malicious stories did not serve any constructive purpose but betrayed the streak of yellow journalism. The Spokesman emphasized that the Foreign Minister visited New York to attend a special plenary of UNGA on the flood situation in Pakistan. It is indeed regrettable that a section of the press chose to fabricate a story apparently to try to tarnish the Foreign Minister’s successful visit.