In late November 2024, supporters of Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister who is currently imprisoned, marched towards the capital, Islamabad, in defiance of a ban on public gatherings. Amidst this turbulent backdrop, a video claiming to depict a large pro-Khan gathering circulated on social media, particularly on Facebook. However, investigations revealed that the footage did not feature Khan’s followers but rather captured a motorsport event taking place in Libya. The viral video, which garnered over 4,000 views, showcased crowds with mobile phone flashlights, vehicles navigating muddy tracks, and a backdrop of fireworks illuminating the night sky.
The claim accompanying the video suggested that members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had taken control of D-Chowk, a significant public square in Islamabad that houses key government buildings. The timing of the video’s circulation coincided with Khan’s public pleas for supporters to join protests in response to his incarceration, which he contends is the result of politically motivated legal actions aimed at thwarting his potential comeback in the impending elections marred by allegations of rigging. This situation escalated as confrontations flared between demonstrators and security forces, leading to violent clashes where protesters faced rubber bullets and tear gas.
Pakistan’s law enforcement escalated their actions on November 27, resulting in nearly 1,000 arrests as security forces forcibly dispersed crowds attempting to gather in the capital’s center. Despite these confrontations, the viral video misleadingly depicted a robust turnout for Khan’s rally. To ascertain the authenticity of the claims surrounding the footage, a reverse image search revealed that the video had been shared weeks prior to the protests in Pakistan and was originally linked to a well-established motoring event in Libya.
Investigators traced the video back to its source, identifying a higher-quality version published by the Libyan media outlet Almasar on November 9. This video documented the atmosphere of the “T-T Desert Rally,” an international motorsport event that commenced on November 7 in the southwestern desert town of Waddan, Libya, and lasted for four days. The stark discrepancy between the original event and the pro-Khan claims underscored the growing concerns over misinformation as political tensions heightened in Pakistan.
Further analysis of the video not only recognized the Libyan context but also confirmed the visible presence of the Libyan flag among the spectators, further solidifying the evidence of its genuine origin. Google Maps also provided additional images and videos of the rally, corroborating its location and event details. This takeaway amplifies the importance of verifying information, particularly in politically charged environments like Pakistan, where the misrepresentation of events can significantly shape public perception and influence ongoing political narratives.
The spread of misinformation surrounding the pro-Khan protests highlights broader issues concerning the reliability of reporting in politically-sensitive contexts, especially amid government crackdowns and intense public unrest. Organizations like AFP have continually been engaged in debunking false claims related to Khan’s movement, emphasizing the critical need for accurate information dissemination in the face of rapidly evolving political landscapes. As Pakistan navigates these turbulent times, discerning truth from fabricated narratives remains increasingly vital for both supporters and opponents of the former leader.