Claim: A video shows people carrying coffins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters who were killed in clashes with the law and enforcement agencies during protests that erupted after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest. Fact: The video is, in fact, from 4 May 2023, when eight people were killed in separate incidents of firing in the […]
Claim: An image shows a woman standing in front of riot police in Lahore during protests against the arrest of Imran Khan. Fact: The image is not real but generated through artificial intelligence (AI) software Midjourney. Its creator says a real-life incident was the inspiration behind his creation. On 11 May 2023, Twitter user @whirlingdervsh […]
Claim: According to a letter issued by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Central Secretariat, the Government of Pakistan and Imran Khan have made a bilateral agreement that Khan will not be forced to strip naked or subjected to any kind of torture through metal rods and bamboo sticks or sexual violence. The letter also stated that these […]
Claim: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has died. Fact: Khan is alive. He was presented in the apex court on 11 May 2023 amid tight security, as can be seen in video footage aired by multiple channels. Fact or Fiction? On 11 May 2023, Twitter user Akku Don (@akku_akku18) posted […]
Claim: An image shows PTI protesters standing atop and conquering the Bala Hisar Fort, which houses the FC headquarters in Peshawar, amid demonstrations against the arrest of Imran Khan. Fact: The image actually shows civilian employees of Bala Hisar Fort watching the protest on the main GT Road, according to the journalist who took the […]
Claim: A photo shows Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan injured in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) custody following his arrest. Fact: The photo is unrelated to Khan’s arrest. In fact, it is from May 2013 when Khan fell from a lifter while he was climbing the stage at an election rally in Lahore. Pakistan […]
Claim: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s lawyer said during a media talk that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief told him to convey the following message to his supporters: “Tell the nation that if martial law is imposed by [army chief] Asim Munir, you have to stand strongly for the rule of law.” Fact: The lawyer did […]
Claim: A video shows a large group of PTI protesters outside Avenfield House following the arrest of Imran Khan. Fact: The video is old and has nothing to do with Khan’s arrest. On 10 May 2023, Twitter user Faisal Khan, with the handle @KaliwalYam, posted a video (archive) allegedly showing a large group of Pakistan […]
Claim: A photo shows two helicopters flying over the General Headquarters (GHQ), headquarters of the Pakistan Army, in Rawalpindi following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest. Fact: The photo is from 2009, after an attack by militants on the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Rangers arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court’s […]
Claim: A notification signed by the Islamabad District Magistrate announced a lockdown in Islamabad and Punjab province, claiming that except for essential services such as healthcare, all institutions are to remain closed and the province cordoned off. Fact: The claim is false, and the notification is doctored. The federal government and District Magistrate did not […]
Claim: Noor Jehan, the elephant who died at the Karachi Zoo, had broken legs, according to a post-mortem report being quoted by different outlets. Fact: The global animal welfare organisation Four Paws has said that the elephant’s post-mortem report has not been made public yet. Fact or Fiction? On 1 May 2023, ARY News reported […]
Claim: United States President Joe Biden has allocated $500,000 to “transgender Pakistani youth English lessons”. Fact: A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) details a potential programme to be created by eligible partners for the professional development of English teachers from non-mainstream institutions, novice English teachers, transgender youth, as well as Afghan teachers, students, and young […]