Info ministry says video of Asif comparing Pakistan's progress with India's is fake

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has officially debunked a video circulating online that purportedly showed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif comparing Pakistan's progress unfavorably with India's. The ministry asserted on Monday that the video is "FAKE" and that the voice featured in it is AI-generated.

The nearly minute-long clip appeared to be edited from a press conference, showing Asif discussing the country's situation. In the alleged footage, he is quoted as saying that Pakistan and India gained independence simultaneously, yet the disparity in their progress is evident. The purported statement also included remarks about Balochistan "slipping from our hands," difficulties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir protesting for their rights.

In contrast, the fabricated video depicted Asif highlighting India's advancements in technology, infrastructure, and the economy. The supposed clip concluded with Asif questioning Pakistan's status as a true democracy and urging self-reflection on government policies rather than blaming external factors. This misleading content was amplified on social media platforms and subsequently reported by Indian media outlets, including News18.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shared the fake clip on its X account, emphasizing that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had not made any such statement. It issued a strong advisory to the public to verify news from official sources before sharing, a message also reinforced by the ministry's fact-checking account on X.

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This news is FAKE and the voice in the video is AI-generated. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has not given any such statement. Please verify news from official sources before sharing.