Russia blasts Pakistani daily for spreading "Russophobic" Western propaganda

Islamabad [Pakistan], November 7 (ANI): The Russian Embassy in Pakistan has strongly criticised, Pakistani daily, The Frontier Post, accusing the English-language newspaper from Peshawar of running a "series of anti-Russian articles" and promoting "Western propaganda" against Moscow.

The embassy also noted that The Frontier Post has its global news service headquarters in Washington.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy said the newspaper's international news section was being influenced by an Americanised editorial team, allegedly based in Washington, which it said "invariably gives preference to ardent Russophobes and critics of Russian foreign policy."

The embassy said it was difficult to find even one article in the paper that spoke about Russia or its leadership in a neutral or positive way.

"Recently, it has been impossible to find a single article in the international section of the newspaper that portrays Russia or its leadership in a positive or even neutral light," the statement said.

It added that the continued publication of "anti-Russian" reports showed "political bias rather than freedom of speech."

"This barrage of anti-Russian articles containing standard Western propaganda and lacking any alternative viewpoint makes one wonder whether the editorial board's policy is based on political bias rather than freedom of speech, " the statement added.

The statement also noted that The Frontier Post, which has an entire section on Afghanistan, "completely ignored" the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan held on October 7, which was widely covered by other regional media.

"This approach further highlights the Russophobic nature of the Westernised editorial office," the embassy said.

The Russian mission went on to accuse the publication of echoing Western narratives about Russia's "weak economy" and "vulnerability to sanctions," calling such claims factually incorrect.

The embassy cited official figures showing that Russia's GDP grew by 4.1 per cent in 2024, with manufacturing up 8.5 per cent and an unemployment rate of 2.5 per cent.

"These are strange indicators for a country with an 'economy vulnerable to collapse,'" the statement said,

It further highlighted recent military developments, such as the testing of Russia's Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater vehicle, as signs of continued strategic capability.

"We urge the Pakistani public to seek information from various sources and not rely on publications that serve the dubious interests of foreign sponsors," the statement said. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)