Claim: A video shows Mohsin Naqvi crying during a press conference.
Fact: The video is doctored; the interior minister did not break down in tears during the press conference.
A video (archive) shared on Facebook shows Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi crying during a press conference. The video includes the following text, “جو خود کو وقت کا فرون سمجھتا تھا وہ دیکھو آج خود رو رہا ہے”
[Translation: The one who thought of himself as the ruler of time, look at him now, he is crying.]
Mohsin Naqvi
Mohsin Naqvi currently serves as the Federal Minister of the Interior and Narcotics Control while also holding the position of Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to ESPN Cricinfo, Naqvi chose to retain his role as PCB Chairman even after taking up his ministerial duties, effectively managing both responsibilities concurrently.
This is not the first time Naqvi has held political office along with a cricketing role. In February 2024, when he was elected PCB Chairman, he was also serving as the Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province.
At the time of appointment, the PCB chairman emphasised the importance of keeping politics separate from cricket, and told Pakistan’s cricketers that he did not want political matters to influence the sport. The article further added that Naqvi affirmed his dedication to his role, saying he is “committed to supporting and serving our nation in every possible way.”
Fact or Fiction?
Since the viral video displayed an Express News’ logo in the bottom-right corner, we scoured Express News‘ YouTube channel and found the original press conference footage. It was shared under “🔴 LIVE | Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Aggressive Media Talk.”
The press conference was streamed on 24 November 2024 when Naqvi spoke about PTI’s protest rally, which was due to take place on 26 November in Islamabad. His attire and the individuals with him in the background are the same as in the viral video, confirming that this is the original footage.
Throughout the three-hour-long footage, Naqvi does not cry at any point, indicating that the clip in the viral post has been altered. We reviewed footage of the same press conference shared by other news channels, including 92 News and Samaa TV, and found no instance of Naqvi crying.
Naqvi’s press conferences during the PTI protests were widely covered by various media outlets. If he had cried, it would have been reported by all major news outlets. Therefore, the video appears to be intended as a joke.
The viral clip displayed a TikTok username watermark, suggesting that the doctored footage was first shared on TikTok before being circulated on other platforms.
A comparison of the stills reveals flaws typical of videos altered using AI. In comparison to the original footage, the viral video has a noticeably darker cast of lighting, characteristic of altered videos.
A close examination of the interior minister’s facial features also revealed significant discrepancies. In the video in question, his hairline appears bald and odd, his ears are entirely absent when he’s facing the camera, and his skin seems obviously airbrushed.
As he walks away from the mic, his hands noticeably blur and become partially invisible—a clear indication of AI manipulation, as AI tools still struggle to render hands accurately. When exiting the frame, his face unnaturally merges with the shirt of the police officer standing behind him.
In contrast, in the original footage Naqvi’s hands and ears are clearly visible, and his hairline looks natural. His face also does not seem airbrushed as in the altered video.
Virality
The video garnered significant traction on Facebook receiving over 52,000 likes and 12,000 shares. It was shared here (archive) and here (archive).
On TikTok, it was shared here (archive).
Conclusion: A video showing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi crying during a press conference is doctored. Analysis and comparison of the original footage with the viral video reveals clear signs of manipulation.
–
Background image in cover photo: ARY News
To appeal against our fact-check, please send an email to appeals@sochfactcheck.com