Claim: A viral video shows Imran Khan arguing his case in front of the Supreme Court through a video call on 16 May 2024
Fact: Besides one photograph, no images or videos of Imran Khan’s video call were recorded on the day of the hearing. In that one photograph, he is wearing a light blue polo shirt, while in the video in the claim he is wearing a dark blue shalwar kameez.
On 16 May 2024, social media users shared a clip of Imran Khan which seemed to be a recording of another screen. It shows Imran Khan in a dark blue shalwar kameez, and the top half of the screen briefly shows the Supreme Court judges’ bench. The video is captioned as follows:
🔴 براہ راست | بانی چیئرمین عمران خان سپریم کورٹ آف پاکستان (16.05.2024)…
[Translation: Live | Founder Chairman Imran Khan Supreme Court of Pakistan (16.05.2024)]
Supreme Court hearing
On 16 May 2024, Imran Khan appeared before the Supreme Court via video link as a petitioner in a case concerning changes to accountability laws. The Court had previously ordered the federal and Punjab governments to facilitate Khan’s appearance from Adiala jail. This case was about amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 made in 2022, which Imran Khan challenged in the Supreme Court.
Fact or Fiction?
On the day of the hearing, the Supreme Court took strict measures of not allowing any digital devices inside the court. The hearing was neither televised nor recorded in any manner. Several journalists also expressed dissatisfaction with the strict crackdown on press coverage from inside the court. This was unexpected because recently the Supreme Court has been allowing live streaming of important cases across the country.
This was the first time Khan appeared in front of the Supreme Court since his arrest from Lahore’s Zaman Park last year. According to Reuters, 15,000 of his supporters were waiting on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) YouTube channel for the court visuals.
However, despite the strict regulation against recording Imran Khan’s appearance in court, a photograph taken from behind the court staff member who was managing the video link from Adiala Jail was leaked. During the entirety of the three-hour proceeding, Khan remained muted.
According to several news organizations including Reuters, Pakistan Today, Dawn, The News, SAMAA, and Geo, reported this photograph. When compared to the video in the claim, it is clear that the claim is false.
Soch Fact Check also reached out to Imran Ghazali, former media strategist for PTI, who confirmed that the claim is false.
Virality
On Facebook, the claim was shared here, here, here, and here.
Conclusion: Footage falsely associated with Imran Khan’s appearance in the Supreme Court.
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Background image in cover photo: ABC News
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