Claim: A photo shows the badly-bruised back of a female PTI supporter who was tortured in custody following a government crackdown on the party in response to protests over Imran Khan’s arrest. Fact: The image shows the back of a woman who was tortured at a dance event in Peshawar in 2021. It is unrelated […]
Claim: Fashion designer Khadija Shah has been released from jail after she issued an apology via a video message. Fact: Shah is still in the Kot Lakhpat Jail. Fact or Fiction? On 29 May 2023, Twitter user Syed Kazim Zaidi (@Kazim_Zai) shared a video of Khadijah Shah with the claim that she has been released […]
Claim: Asif Zardari has announced support for Imran Khan, saying Shehbaz Sharif cannot lead Pakistan. Fact: Zardari has not announced support for Khan, nor has he said Sharif cannot lead Pakistan; the press conference shown in the video is actually from 2019. Another clip with the same caption but a different press conference is actually […]
Claim: A photo shows Khadijah Shah wearing sweatpants and a cropped top while posing on a rooftop. Fact: The image does not show Khadijah Shah but Elnaaz Norouzi, an Iranian-German actor and model. On 24 May 2023, Facebook page ‘REALITY.of life’ uploaded a post (archive) comprising two pictures, one showing a woman prisoner in police […]
Claim: A video shows Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters welcoming former prime minister Imran Khan on his return to his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, following his release. Fact: It’s an old video from Peshawar. On 12 May 2023, Khan was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and he left the court under police protection […]
Claim: A screengrab of journalist Shahzeb Khanzada’s show suggests that former finance minister Miftah Ismail had said that Imran Khan did not sign any agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that would lead to inflation in Pakistan, in fact, he saved the country from global inflation. Fact: Ismail issued a clarification that he did […]
Claim: A video shows an F-35 fighter jet — in some cases identified as F-4 — performing a stunt by tilting itself into a vertical position in the air. Fact: The video does not show an F-35 fighter jet but a scaled-down RC version of a fighter jet. On 7 May 2023, Twitter account @clipsthatgohard […]
Claim: A screengrab of a television show suggests that the authorities in Saudi Arabia and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman have turned down former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s request for a meeting during his recent visit to the kingdom. Fact: The screengrab is doctored. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted on 21 April 2023 that the Pakistan […]
Claim: A social media post by Geo News suggests that Imran Khan had said an elected prime minister was slapped a year ago today. Fact: The image is doctored. The media outlet did not share any such image or report. Fact or Fiction? On 10 April 2023, the Facebook page Maryam Nawaz One Hope shared […]
Claim: A video statement of Imran Khan was recorded just before his arrest on 9 May 2023. Fact: The video statement of Imran Khan was actually posted in October 2022. On 9 May 2023, the Press Trust of India (PTI) posted a video statement (archive) of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran […]
Claim: Journalist Shaheen Sehbai shared a video claiming it shows the recent brutality of law enforcement agencies against civilian protesters. Fact: Journalist Shaheen Sehbai shared a clip taken during a 2009 Swat operation, where Pakistani soldiers are seen torturing and beating Taliban suspects in the original 10-minute-long video. On 19 May 2023, Shaheen Sehbai shared […]
Claim: Geo News published Zulfi Bukhari’s statement claiming that since he is a British citizen, he will not be able to come to Pakistan for Al-Qadir Trust case hearings. Fact: The screenshot is doctored. Geo News did not publish any such statement by Zulfi Bukhari. On 24 May 2023, a screenshot of what appears to […]