‘Imran Khan dies in prison’: Fake News frenzy spreads across social media fueled by Indian media

ISLAMABAD: As tensions between Pakistan and India remained at an all-time high, social media was abuzz as false claims about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death went viral, causing panic.

The rumours, which originated with Indians, alleged that the PTI chief had been murdered in prison, with some even accusing the military establishment of involvement. These hilarious and frivolous reports were shared widely, causing widespread panic and confusion among the public.

The fake news craze began with a disturbing video showing the former prime minister covered in blood and being led away by guards. However, it was later revealed that the video was from 2013, when the PTI chairman fell from a forklift during an election rally in Lahore. Despite this clarification, the video continued to circulate, fuelling baseless rumours of death.

To add fuel to the fire, a fabricated press release was also issued, made to look like an official statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, falsely confirming Khan’s death in judicial custody.

This “fake news” was picked up and shared by several social media users, further exacerbating the situation.

Amid the chaos, fact-checking platforms debunked the claims, saying, “Imran Khan is alive and serving his sentence. No credible sources confirm his death, and reports of his alleged murder are false.”

Khan is currently lodged in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, facing multiple legal charges, including corruption and illegal marriage. His political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has expressed concern over his well-being, citing concerns about his health deteriorating due to harsh prison conditions.

The spread of fake news, especially around high-profile figures like Imran Khan, has raised alarm bells about the growing influence of misinformation. Experts urge citizens to verify news before sharing it and rely on credible sources to avoid spreading unnecessary panic and chaos.