Twitter verifies fake army chief account

Verification was reversed after users pointed out the blunder to Twitter

In an interesting turn of events, Twitter on Wednesday verified a fan account of Army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Twitter verified the account despite the fact that the bio section of @RaheelSharif_ explicitly states that it is not an official account of the army chief. The micro-blogging website reversed the verification and removed the trademark tick which accompanies it after users pointed out that the account did not belong to the COAS.

Did @twitter really verify an unofficial account of Pak army chief Gen Raheel Sharif who was born in 1996? @AsimBajwaISPR may clarify it? pic.twitter.com/nhoTNkBxn5

— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) September 21, 2016

However, it was too late as the news had already spread across the social media platform and people started questioning Twitter’s verification process.

Whats going on ? Twitter verified fake account of Pakistan ARMY Chief @RaheelSharif_ cc @AsimBajwaISPR

— Syed Raza Mehdi (@SyedRezaMehdi) September 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/Pathaniee/status/778508757756153856

General Raheel Sharif has a verified account @RaheelSharif_ on @Twitter. Even the account says it's not official. #RIPTwitterVerification

— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) September 21, 2016

https://twitter.com/kiran_khan92/status/778515168494051328

Dear @twitter are serious??
you verified a fan account @RaheelSharif_
RIP twitter policies

— RathoreBaba ☢ (@ashalrathore) September 21, 2016

While some mocked Twitter, others found in it a perfect opportunity to request Twitter to verify their accounts.

Dear @twitter this account @RaheelSharif_ is not a real account. If you really have to verify an account you can do mine :) pic.twitter.com/reJU1Bv8Kr

— Adeela Khalid (@adeelaz) September 21, 2016

Some even praised the 20-year-old lad behind the fan account for getting a fake one verified.

@RaheelSharif_ Congratulation to You, Fake account hi verify karwa liya. #InternationalDayOfPeace @KlasraRauf @mubasherlucman

— Umair Muzaffar (@Umair_Hobaan) September 21, 2016

Following the uproar, Shoaib, who is apparently behind the fan account, tweeted a clarification stating that the COAS  was not on twitter and that he wouldn't be using the account in the future.

https://twitter.com/RaheelSharif_/status/778516772429455360

https://twitter.com/RaheelSharif_/status/778495224008105984