Anisa Shabir

Anisa Shabir is a senior fact-checker and open-source reporter at Soch Media. She also volunteers as an open-source researcher with Bellingcat's Global Authentication Project and previously worked as an investigative reporter at the Arizona State University’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. She was recognized for best community service project/reporting in the 2023 EPPY Awards and won the A-Mark Prize for Reporting on Misinformation and Disinformation. Her work has been featured in the Associated Press, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting (AZCIR), Cronkite News, and Dawn. She holds an MA in investigative journalism from Cronkite School on the Fulbright Scholarship Award.

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Claim: A video shows a contingent of the Pakistan Army in Makkah, after Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a defence pact on 17 September 2025. Fact: The video is unrelated to the defence pact and likely shows Saudi security personnel, not Pakistani soldiers.  On 29 September, a Facebook user posted a reel that apparently showed […]

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Claim: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X congratulating the Pakistan cricket team for winning all three matches against India in the Asia Cup 2025, and crediting the army chief for the team’s victory. Fact: The image is doctored. The prime minister did not publish any such post on X. On 28 September, a user […]

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Claim: Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan was ready to intervene and take physical action in Gaza, in an interview with Al Jazeera. Fact: A clip from Dar’s interview has been shared with misleading captions. The Foreign Minister spoke about the need for physical action in Gaza if belligerent states like Israel […]

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Claim: An image shows a child killed in the recent bombing in Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Fact: The image of the child predates the incident and appeared as early as May 2025. On 22 September, an X user posted a photo (archive) purportedly showing a child killed in the recent bombing that was reportedly carried […]

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Claim: A video shows former cricketer Shahid Afridi being beaten up by fans after Pakistan lost to India in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Fact: The video, in fact, shows Afridi charging at and attacking a crowd of hysterical fans who were grabbing at him. The incident occurred on his return to Pakistan, following […]

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Claim: Dua Lipa wore a Pakistani cricket team jersey to show her support during the Asia Cup 2025. Fact: The image has been edited. In the original image, the pop star wore a white T-shirt and not the Pakistan cricket team’s jersey. On 13 September, a Facebook user uploaded a photo (archive) that shows pop […]

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Claim: A video shows Yemen’s Brigadier General Yahya Qasim Sare’e issuing a threat to Pakistani soldiers who would be stationed at the Saudi-Yemen border following the signing of a defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Fact: The video statement of the Yemeni commander is unrelated to the recently signed mutual defence pact between Saudi […]

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Claim: A video shows Pakistan’s Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal ripping an Israeli flag. Fact: This video does not show Iqbal tearing the Israeli flag. Instead, it depicts a Kyrgyz politician ripping the flag in 2014. On 14 September, an X user posted a photo that apparently showed Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives […]

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Claim: A video shows Pakistanis welcomed with “Pakistan Zindabad!” chants in Saudi Arabia after both countries signed a defence agreement on 17 September. Fact: The clip is old and unrelated to the signing of the defence pact. On 18 September, Shama Junjejo posted a video (archive) that apparently showed officers at an airport in Saudi […]

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Claim: A video shows the Indian Army Chief of Staff General Upendra Dwivedi admitting that India lost six jets and 250 soldiers to Pakistan during the four-day conflict between the two countries in May 2025. Fact: The clip of the Indian army chief is digitally altered. Posts circulating online claim that the Indian army chief […]

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Claim: Footage shows the precarious security situation in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 31 July, following the launch of Operation Sarbakaf. Fact: The video predates 31 July and is not connected to the security situation in Bajaur following the launch of Operation Sarbakaf. Posts circulating online shared a video claiming that it shows the precarious security […]

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Claim: A video shows a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally, likely from the recent protests held in August 2025. Fact: The footage is likely AI-generated. On 5 August, a Facebook user posted a video (archive) that apparently showed a rally organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to call for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The […]

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