Claim: Google Trends predicted who would win the 2024 general election in Pakistan and that data proved that “PTI is on top”. Fact: Google Trends shows a summary of searches by people around the world; it can be narrowed down according to categories, time period, and location, among other filters. The FAQs page of Google […]
Claim: WikiLeaks has released a documentary on PTI founder Imran Khan after he was sentenced to 10 years and 14 years in jail in two separate cases pertaining to leaking state secrets and corruption, respectively. Fact: The documentary has nothing to do with Khan’s sentencing. It was originally aired in 2012. On 1 February 2024, […]
Claim: The Washington Post recently published an article titled, “Oops: Azerbaijan released election results before voting had even started.” Pakistani users have linked the alleged rigging hinted at in the article’s headline to the 2024 general elections. Fact: While the article is authentic, it is not recent, as The Washington Post published it in 2013. […]
Claim: On 6 February 2024, front pages of multiple Pakistani newspapers announced Nawaz Sharif as the next prime minister, claiming he was voted in by the people’s choice. Fact: The front page is an advertisement and not a news piece. Since the 2024 general elections in Pakistan are underway, it cannot be said that Nawaz […]
Claim: The PML-N has announced its decision to boycott the 2024 general elections being held on 8 February in Pakistan. Fact: The PML-N has made no such announcement; the accounts making the claim are fake and not associated with the party. On 8 February 2024, X (formerly Twitter) user @Hasnain8082 posted (archive) a screenshot of […]
Claim: In a recent rally ahead of the 8 February 2024 elections, Asif Ali Zardari said the time has come now to replace Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with a decent man who can run Pakistan. Fact: The video does not match the audio, which has been altered to include the name of Bilawal when Zardari was actually […]
Claim: Imran Khan was seen sporting a beard on 30 January 2024, the day he was sentenced to 10 years for “leaking state secrets”. Fact: A beard was edited onto Khan’s face in an image that was originally posted by PTI Central Legal Coordinator Mashal Yousafzai on 1 August 2023. On 30 January 2024, X […]
Claim: A video shows PPP leader Khursheed Shah being hit with shoes during a campaign trail in his constituency ahead of the 2024 general elections. Fact: Shah was not hit with shoes during a recent campaign trail; the video is actually over five years old and, therefore, not breaking news. On January 2024, X (formerly […]
Claim: A video shows Pakistani politician and election candidate, Daniyal Aziz, slapping a cricket player. Fact: The video does not show Daniyal Aziz and it is not from Pakistan. It depicts a physical altercation between two Indian politicians. On 23 January 2024, the Facebook page ‘Pti Narowal’ posted (archive) a video showing an altercation that […]
Claim: A picture shows the father of PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, standing handcuffed after being arrested for stealing a buffalo. Fact: The picture actually shows the late Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, who was arrested in 1976 and executed on 11 February 1984. On 27 January 2024, Facebook user ‘Kamred Aslam Khaskheli’ […]
Claim: Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has said the 16 January attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province were carried out with the knowledge of the Government of Pakistan and in collaboration with Pakistan’s armed forces. Fact: The claim is false. Neither did Iran’s Foreign Minister say that the attack in Balochistan on 16 January was carried […]
Claim: A video shows a top military official of Iran confirming his country launched missiles at a terrorist group in Pakistan. Fact: The video shows IRGC-AF Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh speaking about Iran’s strikes in Iraq and Syria, not Pakistan. On 16 January 2024, X (formerly Twitter) user Mario Nawfal — @MarioNawfal — posted (archive) […]