Imran Khan returns to US after jet lent by Saudi prince develops snag

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his delegation were forced to return to New York on Friday after the special plane given to him by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, developed a technical snag. As per Pakistan media, the plane was headed from New York to Islamabad where it developed a technical fault, minutes after taking off from the Kennedy International Airport. Pakistan diplomat Maleeha Lodhi escorted Khan back to the Roosevelt Hotel where he was staying during his 7-day trip.

Imran Khan was in the United States to attend the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly, after which he was returning to Islamabad in the special jet provided to him by the Saudi government. As per media reports on Saturday, Imran Khan waited at the airport for some time until the technicians were trying to fix the fault.

However, it was stated that more work was needed in the jet which they would try to complete it by Saturday morning. The reports further stated that if the special jet is not fixed by Saturday morning (NY time), then the Pakistan PM would have to take a commercial flight back to his country. 

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Imran Khan's US trip

Imran Khan arrived on September 21 to the United States in a "special aircraft" given by the Saudi government. As per the Pakistan media reports, the Saudi Crown Prince denied Imran Khan of using a commercial flight for his US trip, sanctioning the jet to him. As per a Pakistani news channel, Saudi Crown Prince had said: "You are our special guest. You would be going to the US on my special aircraft."

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Imran Khan at the UNGA

On Friday, Imran Khan gave a 50-minute long speech at the 74th United Nations General Assembly. In the speech, Pakistan PM Imran Khan not only threatened another 'Pulwama-like' attack, he also fearmongered over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. While PM Modi used the global stage to reaffirm India's commitment to fighting against terror, climate change, Imran Khan exposed his own country's helplessness to counter-terror due to its own corruption.

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(With agency inputs)