Claim: Maryam Ikram was involved in the 9 May 2023 riots, after which she was included in PML-N’s central leadership.
Fact: Ikram is not part of PML-N’s central leadership. Additionally, the picture cited in the claim was shared on Facebook as early as October 2022, disproving any connection to the 9 May riots. Ikram, a journalist by profession, attended two PTI protests disguised as a supporter to ensure her safety while covering the events.
On 22 December, Ehtesham Ali Abbasi, a crime reporter at Bol TV, shared an photograph (archive) of Maryam Ikram holding a PTI flag, with tyres burning in the background, writing, “گزشتہ روز فوجی عدالتوں سے ہونے والی سزائیں اس وقت مشکوک ہوگئی جب معلوم ہوا کہ 9 مئی کی مرکزی ملزمہ محترمہ مریم صاحبہ کو آگ لگانے اور لگوانے کے بعد ن لیگ کی مرکزی قیادت میں شامل کروا دیا گیا،،،
@OfficialDGISPR
اس لیڈی کو فوری گرفتار کیا جائے-”
[Translated from Urdu: Yesterday, the sentences handed down by military courts became questionable when it was revealed that the main accused of 9 May , Madam Maryam, was inducted into the central leadership of PML-N after inciting and causing the fires.
@OfficialDGISPR
This lady should be arrested immediately.]
Maryam Ikram
Maryam Ikram, a digital creator, makes videos on YouTube and TikTok, some of which highlight her support of PML-N and the Pakistan Army. She frequently conducts interviews and attends political gatherings and events.
In March 2024, the Election Commission of Pakistan allocated 27 reserved seats to PML-N following the elections. ARY News reported that nine additional names were submitted to the electoral body due to the completion of the previously submitted list. PML-N proposed the names of Saira Afzal Tarar, Bushra Butt, Huma, Mahjabeen Abbasi, Gulnaz Shehzadi, Shumaila Rana, Maryam Ikram, Shazia Farid, and Syed Amna Batool for the reserved seats, the report added.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check reverse-searched the viral photograph and found that it was shared (archive) on Facebook as early as October 2022. We reviewed Ikram’s social media accounts to understand the context of the image but did not find any relevant information. A keyword search led us to a Dawn article, which reported that a picture of Ikram wearing a dress in PTI flag colours, holding a party flag, and standing in front of burning tyres, had gone viral. According to the article, some PML-N-affiliated YouTubers claimed that the digital creator occasionally infiltrated the PTI camp at Zaman Park to create content. This particular image is reportedly a video still from footage she filmed in October 2022.
The Dawn article also shed light on Ikram’s nomination for the reserved seat. According to the report, Ikram faced backlash over her nomination, with several party members demanding that she withdraw her candidacy, arguing that many long- standing female workers were more deserving of the reserved seat. A senior PML-N worker was quoted saying, “We have been serving the party for years, yet an unknown girl is selected for a reserved women’s seat to become an MNA.”
Ikram informed BBC Urdu that she contacted the Election Commission to withdraw her nomination papers after receiving a call from the party secretariat. Regarding her affiliation with PML-N, she stated that she has been working with the party for the past three years, remains a member, and will always continue her association with it.
When asked by BBC Urdu about the viral photograph circulating on social media, Ikram explained that she has been a journalist by profession for the past 13 years and has worked with various journalistic organisations in the country. She further clarified, “To perform my professional duties, I had to visit the field. To avoid negative reactions from party workers and ensure my safety, I occasionally did such things (like raising the PTI flag and wearing a cap) to blend in with the crowd and avoid provoking hostility, allowing me to work without disruption.”
Ikram emphasised to BBC Urdu that she was holding a microphone from a news organisation in her hand in the viral photograph. She added that her presence at the PTI protest was strictly professional and that she did not attend as a participant.
Virality
The claim was shared here, here, here, and here on X. Archived here, here, here, and here.
It was shared here, here, and here on Facebook. Archived here, here, and here.
On YouTube, it was shared here.
Conclusion: The claim that Maryam Ikram was involved in the 9 May riots and later inducted into PML-N’s central leadership is false. The image associated with this claim was first shared online in October 2022. Furthermore, although Ikram continues to create content in support of the party, she withdrew her nomination papers for a reserved seat in March 2024.
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Background image in cover photo: @MaryamIkram93
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