Claim: Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board has disallowed schools from teaching art, music, computer sciences, handwriting, and drama. Fact: PCTB has included computer sciences and art in their scheme of studies. While music, handwriting, and drama are not included in the scheme, it allows for a range of other co-curricular activities like sports and critical […]
Claim: New Zealand is one of the first countries to allow for paid leave after miscarriage, second only to India. Fact: Multiple countries have instituted paid leaves after miscarriages and stillbirths. While New Zealand is the only country to mandate leave for partners as well in case of miscarriages, other countries like Denmark and Singapore […]
Claim: European countries stopped using the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after cases of blood clots were reported. Fact: Some European countries temporarily paused the use of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine. At least 18 of these countries have now removed the pause. Thromboembolic Events with Blood Clots During the first three weeks of March, countries across Europe temporarily paused […]
Claim: The organizers and participants associated with the Aurat March promoted blasphemous content. Fact: Videos and pictures from various Aurat Marches across the country are being doctored and misconstrued to falsely accuse organizers and participants of blasphemy. French Flag Sexual Abuse Testimony Slogans for Freedom Introduction Since 2018, the Aurat March is carried out across […]
Claim: Pakistani mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara has been found alive after being missing on K2 for ten days. Fact: Sadpara has not been found. As per the latest tweet from his management, search and rescue operations are still ongoing. Muhammad Ali Sadpara, a moutaineer from Skardu holds several records, including being part of the first […]
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 […]