Arnab WhatsApp Chats: Imran Khan Says Modi Govt 'Used' Balakot for Domestic Gains The Republic TV founder hit back at the Pakistani government's statements, saying it was involved in a "conspiracy" against his channel. Imran Khan and Arnab Goswami. Photos: PTI Illustration: The Wire New Delhi: The Pakistan government and the country’s Prime Minister Imran Khan made their way into the controversy over Arnab Goswami’s WhatsApp chats, saying the Republic TV founder’s conversations “show” that the Balakot airstrike was planned by the Narendra Modi government to win the 2019 general elections. The Mumbai police have annexed chats between Goswami and former Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) CEO Partho Dasgupta, which showed that Goswami was aware of the airstrike â which the Indian Air Force conducted as retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 â at least three days in advance.