Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has declared a viral video attributed to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif fabricated, saying the footage was doctored and the audio generated using artificial intelligence.
The roughly one-minute clip appeared to show Asif speaking during a press conference originally broadcast by a private television channel, purportedly comparing Pakistan’s development with India’s and making critical remarks about the country’s political and economic situation.
The ministry shared the video on X, labelling it “FAKE” and urging users to verify information through official sources before sharing it further.
In the fabricated audio, Asif is purportedly heard saying that Pakistan and India gained independence around the same time but that the developmental gap between the two countries had since widened significantly, with the manipulated clip going on to praise India’s progress in technology, infrastructure, the economy and its international standing.
The doctored version also falsely attributes politically sensitive statements to the defence minister, including a question about whether Pakistan is truly a democracy, along with claims about unrest and dissatisfaction with the government in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.
The fabricated audio closes with the minister purportedly urging citizens to question government policies and asking who was responsible for bringing Pakistan to its current state.
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According to the ministry, the underlying footage may include genuine images of Asif from a previous media appearance, but the words attributed to him in the circulating clip were not genuine and had been digitally fabricated. The clarification followed the video gaining significant traction on social media, after which it was also picked up by some Indian media outlets.
The ministry’s rejection of the clip is categorical, framing the footage as a case of authentic visuals paired with entirely fabricated audio designed to create the impression that a senior Pakistani official had made highly critical remarks about the country’s own performance.
Officials say such manipulated content poses a particular risk when it targets public figures and touches on politically sensitive subjects, since it can shape public perception before it is corrected.
The ministry has advised users to check original broadcasts or statements from official government sources before accepting or circulating similar clips, as the case underscores the growing challenge posed by AI-generated disinformation involving political figures.
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
