Claim: The Government of Pakistan has proposed shifting the capital of Pakistan from Islamabad to Lahore.
Fact: The Pakistani government has made no such proposal. It was suggested by accountant Shabbar Zaidi during his book launch event.
On 22 October 2025, Facebook page ‘Newsify Pakistan’ posted an image (archive) of Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque alongside Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque, with the embedded text reading, “Government of Pakistan has Proposed ‘Capital of Pakistan may shift from Islamabad to Lahore’.”
The post’s caption reiterated the image writing, “Government of Pakistan has proposed ‘Capital of Pakistan may shift from Islamabad to Lahore’.”
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check conducted a keyword search but found no credible articles or evidence to support the claim. However, the search did lead to two articles, one published by MMNews, and the other by ProPakistani titled, “Former FBR Chairman Wants to Shift Capital From Islamabad”. The article reported that former Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi suggested relocating Pakistan’s capital from Islamabad to Lahore, advocating for a comprehensive “reset” of the nation’s political and administrative structure.
Notably, while Zaidi did make this suggestion during a recent launch event of his autobiography “32 Anker Road” in Lahore, the claim remains false as Zaidi has not served in a government role since 2020.
Shabbar Zaidi was appointed chairman of the FBR in 2019 by former Prime Minister Imran Khan on a ‘temporary pro bono basis’ for two years. Zaidi’s appointment was poorly received by the Inland Revenue Officers Association. They issued a statement denouncing the decision, stating that the Islamabad High Court had already settled the issue of appointing private-sector individuals, and cited the case of Arshad Ali Hakeem, whose one-year tenure as FBR chief was struck down as illegal by the court. However, after a year of his appointment, Zaidi was replaced by Nausheen Javaid Amjad.
As no official representative of the government of Pakistan made any suggestions about shifting the capital, Soch Fact Check finds this claim to be false.
Virality
Soch Fact Check found this claim on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
Conclusion: The Government of Pakistan has not proposed relocating the capital from Islamabad to Lahore. The idea was put forward by former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi during his book launch, and was made in a personal capacity as he no longer holds any government position.
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