Fake news surged during PTI march

The watchdog released its report on the surge of fake news circulating across national and social media during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march towards Islamabad on November 24.

The report highlighted how misinformation disrupted the government, security agencies, and political parties.

The Fake News Watchdog, an organization dedicated to researching misinformation, revealed that fabricated news during the protests had a destructive impact and the relay of information without verification distorted Pakistan's image at the global level.

The report cited several examples of fake news, including a dangerous statement falsely attributed to the interior minister about Azad Kashmir citizens, a fabricated video message from the PTI founder, and false reports about the arrests of Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi.

Additionally, baseless claims about hundreds of bodies lying at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital had a deeply negative impact.

Other fabricated stories included the alleged appointment of Asad Qaiser as PTI chairman and an account falsely linked to Imran Khan's son, Suleman Khan.

According to the report, former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri's statements about Imran Khan's health had a very negative impact while an old photograph was misused during a press conference by Attock District Police Officer Dr. Ghiyas Gul.

According to the watchdog, the news of the death of a PTI worker, who purportedly fell from a container, was also discussed internationally until it proved false after the worker came to surface and met the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

"Not only the security agencies but also the PTI leadership faced serious difficulties due to fake news. The victims of fake news include the government, security agencies and political parties. Therefore, steps to combat fake news in Pakistan need to be taken on an urgent basis," the report recommended.