Claim: Private schools are allowed to use any textbooks that are in line with Single National Curriculum Fact: Private schools are only allowed to use textbooks that have been approved by provincial textbook boards, or other concerned local authorities. On 10 February 2021, Pakistan’s education minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted that under the Single National Curriculum […]
Claim: Pakistan is using a Chinese vaccine which was proven to have an efficacy of 50.4% during late-stage trials held in Brazil. Fact: Pakistan has currently approved Sinopharm Biotech Ltd.’s vaccine from China. The Sinovac vaccine that was tested in Brazil has not been approved in Pakistan. Pakistan is currently testing one other Chinese vaccine, […]
Claim: The Sindh Government has lifted the curfew on outdoor dining in the province. Fact: In a notification issued on 28 January 2021, the Home Department issued a notification lifting the 10:00 pm curfew on outdoor dining. On 28 January, the media reported that the Sindh Government had lifted the 10:00 pm curfew on outdoor […]
Claim: The Covid-19 vaccine negatively impacts male fertility. Fact: Any relationship between male fertility and the Covid-19 vaccine has not been scientifically proven. On 12 January, 2021 Zaid Hamid tweeted a screenshot of this article with the misleading headline “Study investigates effects of Covid-19 on male fertility,” implying the clinical trial has been completed and […]
Claim: US president-elect Joe Biden has invited Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party, and former president Asif Ali Zardari to attend his oath-taking ceremony on January 20. Fact: PPP officials confirm that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has not been invited to the ceremony. On January 12, 2021, many Pakistani news outlets, including Khaleej Times, […]
Claim: A complaint filed to the Ministry of Interior alleged that non-governmental organization (NGO) Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) evaded taxes and registration with the government. The complaint also alleged that DRF’s director Nighat Dad embezzled funds that were received in foreign donations. Fact: DRF is a tax-exempt NGO registered with the government Economic Affairs Division […]
Last month, on 15 December 2020, President Arif Alvi approved a set of laws that included court ordered chemical castration as a penalty for sexual violence. Soch Fact Check debunks 3 common myths about chemical castration and its impact on sexual violence. Claim 1: Chemical castration is a permanent procedure that stops a person from […]
Claim: All allegations of sexual assault and fraud against Babar Azam have been proven false in court and the case against him has been dismissed. Fact: Court proceedings are ongoing, no allegations were proven as false and none of the petitions were dismissed. On 5 Dec 2020, false information about the sexual harassment case against […]
Claim: According to various PTI leaders and media sources, the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s rally in Lahore on 13 December 2020 drew a crowd of around 8,500 to 15,000 people. Fact: While the size of the crowd fluctuated throughout the day, multiple sources agree that the PDM rally attracted a crowd that surpassed 18,000 to 20,000 […]
Claim: Khadim Rizvi started breathing again after being declared dead and was brought back to the hospital. Fact: Khadim Rizvi passed away at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore late evening on 19 November 2020. News broke around 9pm today that 54 year-old Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan Chief Khadim Rizvi passed away at Lahore’s Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Soon […]
Claim: Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed Muslims in France for terrorism following meeting with Bosnian President Fact: PM Khan condemned Muslims for terrorism in France, while also highlighting that freedom of speech should not be used as an instrument to hurt religious communities. On November 4, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina […]
Claim: “Modi Modi” slogans were raised in favor of the indian Prime Minister during the 27th session of the National Assembly. Fact: Parliamentarians raised “voting voting” slogans in the 27th session of the National Assembly, and the slogans mentioning Modi were not in his support, but rather to denounce any allegiance to the Indian Prime […]