Claim: In a video statement, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the police personnel at Zaman Park were “unarmed”. Fact: Several video clips on social media show that police officers and rangers were holding guns and firing rubber bullets at civilians. On 14 March 2023, Islamabad Police attempted to arrest Imran Khan from his residence in […]
Claim: The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Karachi has charged Rao Anwar with the murder of Naqeeullah Mehsud. Fact: Rao Anwar was not charged; instead, he was acquitted by the ATC in Karachi. On 23 January 2023, Dawn.com shared a misleading tweet claiming that the infamous Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwar has been […]
Claim: The tallest skyscraper in China -fourth tallest building in the world- caught fire, leaving six hundred people dead. It was the biggest fire since 9/11. An additional claim in social media posts argues that the fire was an American conspiracy plan. Fact: No casualties from the incident were reported. Furthermore, the building is not […]
Claim: A viral video shows people celebrating in Sialkot after the Pakistan Supreme Court announced on 26 July 2022 that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Pervez Elahi would be the new Chief Minister of Punjab. Fact: The video surfaced on social media in January 2022 and depicts new year celebrations in Sialkot. The video is not […]
Claim: Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker in an interview with Al Jazeera responds to an appeal by Indian social media user Vashudev to boycott the airline following Qatar’s condemnation of BJP leaders’ recent anti-Islam comments. Fact: The video of Al Baker doing the rounds on social media is doctored. Fact or Fiction? On 7 […]
Claim: A large majority of Pakistanis believe that Aurat March should be banned, according to a survey. Fact: A Twitter poll about Aurat March carried out by talk show host Maleeha Hashmey, who is known for her right-wing, conservative views, is being shared as a representative survey by various news outlets. The poll cannot be […]
Claim: The Government of Punjab has made it mandatory for boys and girls to wear caps and scarves, respectively, in schools across the province. Fact: Schoolchildren will only be required to wear caps and scarves when attending the classes reserved for Quran recitation and teaching. On 17 January 2022, journalist Hasan Zaidi, Dawn’s editor for […]