- Misinformation actively shaped the narrative, the report said.
- A fabricated statement attributing to the Minister of the Interior has been “circulated”.
- The fake news has not only troubled the security institutes but also the PTI leadership.
ISLAMABAD: A huge influx of fake news was witnessed during the recent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in the federal capital, a report by Fake News Watchdog, a non-profit organization fighting misinformation, has revealed and misinformation.
The watchdog said the bombardment of concocted information played a cataclysmic role throughout this period. He said the unverified reports also harmed Pakistan’s image in the world.
The PTI protest from November 24 to 27 caused huge unrest in the federal capital. The party leadership suspended the protest only after authorities launched a night-time crackdown on protesters who had forcibly made their way to D-Chowk, despite several obstacles along the way.
“The events surrounding the PTI protests of November 24-27, 2024 highlighted the profound impact of fake news on political, social and institutional dynamics in Pakistan. Disinformation during this period was not simply a byproduct of political unrest; he actively shaped the narrative, stoked tensions, and influenced public actions. Fabricated content – whether manipulated images, doctored videos or false statements attributed to key figures – has quickly spread across social media and traditional news platforms, deepening confusion and mistrust .
“This phenomenon has exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s information ecosystem, where unverified claims have gained ground in the absence of effective countermeasures,” the fake news hunter said.
According to the report, a false statement attributed to the interior minister about Kashmiri citizens continued to circulate. A fake report on the PTI founder’s alleged statement was also circulating on various platforms.
Fake news about the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife has intensified the protest, the report said, adding that fake news about hundreds of cadavers at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Islamabad Polyclinic Hospital also had an adverse effect.
Meanwhile, fake news about PTI chief and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser’s appointment as party president has also made news, Fake News Watchdog said.
The report said the workers were instigated through a fake account named Sulaiman Isa Khan, the son of the PTI founder.
“The news of transfer of PTI founder from Adiala jail turned out to be false. On the other hand, reports that 600 young people resigned from military academies during the demonstration also proved to be unfounded,” the report states.
Another baseless news regarding shooting of Qaiser and Mahmood Khan Achakzai also spread. While PTI leader Qasim Suri’s statements regarding the PTI founder’s health have had extremely negative impacts, the Islamabad-based organization said.
The report said that an old photo of the PTI protest was shown during the press conference of DPO Attock Ghiyas Gul.
The news of the alleged death of a PTI worker after falling from a container during prayers has been the subject of international discussion. While the news that the same person, who fell from a container, was meeting the KP Chief Minister, was also found to be fake.
The fake news has not only troubled the security institutes but also the PTI leadership.
According to the Fake News Monitor, those affected by fake news include the government, security institutes and political parties.
The watchdog stressed the need to take urgent measures to address the challenges posed by fake news.
He highlighted the role of social media as a crucial tool for spreading misinformation.
“The role of social media has been particularly important, acting as both a tool for mobilization and a breeding ground for disinformation. The speed and reach of the platform has allowed false narratives to proliferate unchecked, with emotionally charged content exploiting public opinion.
“At the same time, failures of journalistic standards by major media outlets contributed to the problem, as unverified reports from influential media outlets further legitimized misleading information. The circulation of fake news was not limited to local users or individual influencers, but also involved established institutions, illustrating a systemic challenge in ensuring credible communication,” he adds.