AI-generated video falsely shows Khawaja Asif making remarks

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected a video circulating online that allegedly shows Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected a video circulating online that allegedly shows Defence Minister Khawaja Asif comparing Pakistan’s progress with India and commenting on the country’s political and economic situation.

The ministry said on Monday that the video was doctored and that the audio had been generated using artificial intelligence. It urged people to verify information through official sources before sharing such content on social media.

The approximately one-minute clip appears to show Khawaja Asif speaking during a press conference. However, the ministry clarified that the audio accompanying the footage was artificially created and did not represent any actual statement by the defence minister.

The fabricated audio contains remarks comparing Pakistan and India since their independence. It falsely portrays Asif as discussing differences between the two countries in areas such as technology, infrastructure, economic development and international standing.

The manipulated video also includes a series of politically sensitive statements about the situation in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. It falsely attributes remarks to the defence minister suggesting that the government had lost control in certain areas and that people were protesting over their rights.

The video further attempts to portray Khawaja Asif as questioning Pakistan’s democratic system and urging citizens to challenge government policies. It ends with a provocative question about who was responsible for bringing the country to its current situation.

The Information Ministry described the material as fake and specifically stated that Khawaja Asif had not made any such statement.

The clarification came after the manipulated video gained significant attention online and was reportedly picked up by Indian media outlets. The ministry’s fact-check highlights the growing use of AI-generated audio and manipulated videos to create misleading political content.