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: Akshay Kumar has condemned Imran Khan’s arrest. Fact: An old video of Akshay Kumar endorsing a wearable fitness device has been doctored. The Bollywood actor has not actually made any comments regarding Imran Khan. On 10 May 2023, Facebook page ‘PTI Murree’ posted a video (archive) claiming that Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has, through […]
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 […]
Claim: A picture shows “skud clouds” over Sydney, Australia. Fact: The picture is an artwork created via digital manipulation by artist and photographer Brent Shavnore. It was first published in December 2020. On 25 April 2023, Facebook page ‘Science Hub’ posted a picture (archive) claiming to show scud clouds over the Australian city of Sydney. […]
Claim: More animals will be brought to the Karachi Zoo, according to the Sindh government’s spokesperson Murtaza Wahab. Fact: The report being shared is not recent but from November 2022. Moreover, KMC Media Department Director Ali Hassan Sajid confirmed to Soch Fact Check that there is “no such plan formed nor a recommendation” in this […]
Claim: Two videos show Airport Security Force (ASF) officials misbehaving and manhandling passengers at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. Fact: The viral video is actually two separate clips clubbed together; the first, depicting women being manhandled, is from a 2017 incident in Rawalpindi, not Karachi, whereas the second is from 2018. On 15 January 2023, Facebook […]
Claim: A photo of a model walking on a ramp with a plaster cast on her leg during a fashion show in Pakistan. The model’s look is apparently inspired by the cast Imran Khan wore on his leg following a gun attack in 2022. Fact: The image is doctored. It is from a 2016 fashion […]
Claim: A nighttime visual of the earth from space shows that Pakistan was wiped off the map and completely dark during a massive country-wide power outage. Fact: The image is doctored. The map, which is sourced from NASA Worldview, is based on satellite imagery and did not show Pakistan being wiped off due to the […]
Claim: A photo shows people in long queues waiting to buy flour bags amid the looming wheat crisis in Pakistan. Fact: The photo is from 2021 and is unrelated to the current wheat crisis in Pakistan. Fact or Fiction? On 8 January 2023, user Usman Farhat shared a photo on Twitter claiming that it shows […]
Claim: At least 50,000 babies were born in Faisalabad in just ten days in December 2022, the most in any city in Pakistan. Fact: More than 50,000 childbirths were registered in the Faisalabad division and over 25,000 in the Faisalabad district between 10 and 20 December 2022 as part of a birth registration drive launched […]
Claim: A video shows Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan receiving a “grand welcome” at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Fact: The video is more than four years old when Shah Rukh Khan made an appearance at the inauguration ceremony of Indian chain Kalyan Jewellers’ outlet in Doha, Qatar. On 19 December 2022, Facebook […]
Claim: Dr Faisal Sultan performed surgery on Imran Khan after the latter suffered a gunshot wound. Fact: Dr Sultan is an infectious diseases expert and did not operate on Khan; a team of doctors comprising orthopaedic, vascular, and general surgeons did. On 5 November 2022, Twitter user @mishikhan_pti shared a video reportedly showing infectious diseases […]