PTI-backed independent candidate Waqas Akram has not joined PML-N

Claim: Sheikh Waqas Akram has now decided to join the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) after meeting Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Fact: Sheikh Waqas Akram has not joined the PML-N

On 21 February 2024, a social media user shared a photograph on Facebook, showing Sheikh Waqas Akram, standing next to Maryam Nawaz Sharif with the following caption:

معروف سیاستدان شیخ وقاص اکرم کی مریم نواز سے ملاقات کے بعد مسلم لیگ ن میں شمولیت اختیار کرلی

میرا خیال ہے شیخ صاحب نے کوئی آٹھویں بار مسلم لیگ ن چھوڑی اور جوائن کی ہے

[Translation: Renowned politician Sheikh Waqas Akram met Maryam Nawaz Sharif and decided to join the PML-N. I think this is the 8th time he has left and rejoined PML-N.]

According to pticandidates.com, Waqas Akram was the PTI-backed, independent candidate contesting the election from NA-109 (Jhang-II) with the electoral symbol of a ‘charpai’. 

Fact or Fiction?

Through a reverse image search, Soch Fact Check found that the original version of the image was shared on 14 February 2024.

The original image was shared on Instagram here and here on 14 February 2024. In this image, everything is exactly the same, except the face of the man standing next to Maryam Nawaz Sharif. In the original image, the man standing next to Maryam Nawaz can be identified as the former member of the Punjab Assembly (2018-2023), Taimoor Amjad Lali from PP-94, Chiniot.

On 15 February 2024, The News reported in this article that Taimoor Lali has joined the PML-N. On the same day, Hum News also reported that Taimoor Lali from PP-94 has decided to join the PML-N.

In addition to this, Sheikh Waqas Akram himself posted a clarification on X. Akram shared both of the original and doctored images  next to each other for comparison,  with the following caption: 

میری تصویر ایڈٹ کر کے سوشل میڈیا پر لگائی گئی ہے لہذا کسی پروپیگنڈا میں نہ آئیں میں عمران خان کا کھلاڑی ہوں عمران خان کے ساتھ ہی رہوں گا

[Translation: My photograph has been edited and shared on social media, so please do not fall for any kind of propaganda. I am Imran Khan’s player and I will remain with Imran Khan.]

The image shared in the claim is actually the same as the one with Taimoor Amjad Lali, except for the face which has been doctored and replaced with an image of the face of Sheikh Waqas Akram. 

Virality

The post on X received more than 34,500 views.

On Facebook, the claim was shared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Conclusion: Sheikh Waqas Akram has not joined the PML-N.

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Background image in cover photo: Shutterstock

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