ISLAMABAD: A viral video purportedly showing Defence Minister Khawaja Asif comparing Pakistan’s performance with India and making critical remarks about the country’s political and economic situation has been debunked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as fabricated.
The ministry said the video was doctored and that the voice heard in the clip had been generated using artificial intelligence.
The Information Ministry shared the video on X on Monday, describing it as “FAKE” and warning that the voice in the clip was AI-generated. It also urged users to verify information through official sources before sharing it.
The approximately one-minute video appears to show Mr Asif speaking during a press conference broadcast by a private television channel. However, according to the ministry, the remarks attributed to the minister were not genuine and had been digitally fabricated.
What does the video claim?
In the manipulated audio, Mr Asif is purportedly heard comparing Pakistan’s development with India’s, saying that the two countries gained independence at around the same time but that the gap between them had subsequently widened significantly.
The fabricated clip goes on to praise India’s progress in technology, infrastructure and the economy, as well as its growing international standing.
It also falsely attributes politically sensitive remarks to the defence minister, including the question, “Are we truly a democracy?”
The video further appears to show Mr Asif making claims about the situation in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, including alleged public unrest and dissatisfaction with the government.
Toward the end, the manipulated audio purportedly has the minister urging people to question government policies and asking, “Who brought Pakistan to this point?”
What is the fact?
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has categorically rejected the video, saying that the audio accompanying the footage was AI-generated.
The ministry issued the clarification after the clip gained traction on social media and was subsequently picked up by some Indian media outlets.
The footage used in the manipulated video may feature genuine images of Mr Asif from a previous media appearance, but the ministry says the words attributed to him in the viral clip were fabricated.
Why does it matter?
The video combines apparently authentic footage with fabricated audio to create the impression that a senior Pakistani government official made highly critical remarks about the country’s political and economic performance.
Such manipulated content can be particularly misleading when it involves public officials and politically sensitive issues. Users should therefore check the original broadcast or statements from official sources before accepting or sharing such clips.
Verdict: False. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says the viral video is doctored and that the audio attributed to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was generated using AI.
