Claim: An image is being circulated on social media with captions claiming it depicts a women’s rally by a group of religious parties on 8th March 2020 held alongside Aurat Azadi March Islamabad. Fact: The image in question is actually from a women’s rally that was held by Jamaat-e-Islami on 9 August 2019 to support […]
Claim: A number of people belonging to the Sami community in Tail Mori district, Badin are infected with COVID-19 while four people from Shaheed Fazil Rahu Taluka, Badin have been admitted to Indus Hospital Badin for the same reason. All cases have been linked to Iran. Fact: A local journalist from district Badin has confirmed […]
CLAIM: Chinese officials are on standby with 100,000 “duck troops” to assist in Pakistan’s national locust emergency, Chinese experts recommend the use of ducks in Pakistan over pesticides and other methods FACT: Zhang Long, part of the delegation of Chinese experts sent to Pakistan to assist in the locust emergency, rejected the report that China […]
On 26 February 2020, the Sindh Health Department confirmed Pakistan’s first case of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Shortly after, Special Minister to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza confirmed Pakistan’s first two cases of COVID-19, assuring citizens that the situation is under control and there is no need to panic. Media […]
Claim: A video has surfaced online with captions that claim it shows China’s president visiting a mosque to request Muslims to pray that the new coronavirus outbreak subsides. Fact: The clip is actually from a 2016 video when the president visited Xincheng Mosque in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China for a fact-finding […]
Claim: FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi has resigned.Fact: Shabbar Zaidi has not resigned, but he may have to step down due to poor health. On Tuesday 11 February, social media posts and news reports spread claiming that Shabbar Zaidi has resigned from his position as Chairman of the Federal Bureau of Revenues (FBR). The words […]
Claim: The Chinese government and Pakistan Embassy are fulfilling the needs of Pakistani students quarantined in China. Fact: Many students are not being taken care of and have not been provided meals. Moreover, the Pakistani embassy in Wuhan is not cooperating or answering their calls. Verdict: Mostly false The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared […]
Claim: A video circulating on Twitter shows the US air strike that killed Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani. Fact: The clip in question is a distorted preview of the video game, AC-130 Gunship Simulator – Convoy Engagement. Verdict: False. Iran’s powerful general, Qassem Soleimani, was assassinated in an American air strike in Baghdad on January 3. […]
Claim: 183 arsonists were charged for starting bushfires in Australia, bushfires are primarily caused by people. Fact: Only 24 people were charged for deliberately starting bushfires, which is fewer than in previous years. Bushfires in Australia are becoming more common due to climate change. Verdict: False New South Wales (NSW – an Eastern state of […]
Claim: A video alleging heavy rainfall in the first week of January 2020 was circulated on Facebook and Twitter. Fact: The video was not taken in the first week of January 2020, it was filmed on November 25, 2019. Verdict: False Since August 2019, there seems to have been a web of disinformation surrounding the […]