Sydney attack: Indian propaganda falls flat

Indian media spreads misleading reports and false data following Sydney atrocity

ISLAMABAD:

After the Sydney attack, Indian media outlets started spreading propaganda about the alleged attackers’ links to Pakistan and posted fake images on social media in a malicious and coordinated attempt to defame the country.

However, the systematic plot targeting Pakistan ignored the real human story behind the incident. The claim, based on fake videos and fabricated data, has been exposed as no credible international source supported the allegations against Pakistan.

One shooter was identified as Naveed Akram or Navid Akram, a 24-year-old from Bonnyrigg in western Sydney. Credible sources, including ABC News, the Sydney Morning Herald, and Daily Mail Australia, described him as a local bricklayer with ties to Sydney.

Evidence from reliable sources confirms Akram’s strong Australian connections. ABC News and Sydney Morning Herald report him as a Sydney south-west resident, with police raiding his family home in Bonnyrigg. He has local employment history and community links in New South Wales.

His name—Navid Akram—is a common name not only in India and Pakistan but also in Afghanistan. No official Australian sources indicate Pakistani nationality or birth. Police statements focus on his local status, with no foreign citizenship mentioned.

Some reports, particularly from Indian media, labelled Akram as “Pakistani national,” “from Lahore,” or “Pakistani-origin”. The fact is that the person whose picture is being circulated by Indians, clarified on Facebook that his image is being falsely used and urged the public to report the misinformation.
The spread of “Pakistani” labels aligns with geopolitical tensions, exploiting the tragedy to target communities.