Islamabad : A global Fake News Watchdog report has unveiled the damaging impact of fabricated news during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad, shedding light on how misinformation tarnished Pakistan’s international image. The spread of unverified reports exacerbated tensions, fueling unrest and undermining public trust in key institutions.
The watchdog detailed incidents of misinformation, including fake statements attributed to the Interior Minister concerning Azad Kashmir and rumors about senior PTI leaders’ arrests. Fabricated stories about a video message from PTI’s founder further escalated the crisis, leaving both domestic and international audiences misinformed.
Among the most harmful fabrications was the claim that hundreds of bodies were discovered at major Islamabad hospitals, which intensified public outrage. Other false reports, such as those regarding Asad Qaiser becoming PTI chairman and fake social media accounts impersonating PTI figures, contributed to widespread confusion.
The report also debunked rumors about gunfire incidents involving political leaders like Asad Qaiser and Mahmood Khan Achakzai and dismissed allegations of 600 army cadets resigning from military academies. Misinformation surrounding PTI founder Imran Khan’s health, alongside manipulated images and misleading press conferences, compounded the chaos.
One particularly viral claim—that a PTI worker had died during a protest was discredited after the individual appeared publicly, meeting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. Such incidents highlighted how fake news disrupted efforts to manage the crisis and further polarized the political landscape.
The watchdog urged immediate steps to tackle the menace of fake news, emphasizing its detrimental effects on Pakistan’s security forces, political parties, and international standing. It called on the government and all stakeholders to strengthen measures to curb misinformation, ensuring the integrity of information in future crises.
