Fake news: Imran under fire for making fabricated claim on Twitter
The tweet was deleted after the backlash
LAHORE (Web Desk) – PTI Chairman Imran Khan faced backlash on Sunday night and had to delete a tweet in which he alleged that a fleet of oil tankers belonging to one of the PTI members were torched over his refusal to quit the party.
However, it turned out to be a false claim as the images shared in the tweet were old and pertained to an inferno that had engulfed an oil depot at Taro Jabba in Nowshehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 1, 2022.
He has deleted his tweets now. pic.twitter.com/GdJs43iJX7
— blue account (@iffiViews) May 28, 2023
Imran said in his tweet that oil tankers were owned by Malik Shehzad Awan – a Sindh Assembly member from Karachi – and added that judiciary watched helplessly at a time when their rights were being violated.
he deleted https://t.co/CJY62HGVGN pic.twitter.com/IVBbu9GQQl
— K. (@RotiKholDeyo) May 28, 2023
Meanwhile, the Twitter handle @siasatpk, which started this episode, was later deactivated or suspended with many people urging others to report the account.
This propaganda spewing vile outlet posting yet another fake news! And despite being proven fake and multiple people posting the proof under this tweet, they still have not deleted it. Cuz even if 3/10 ppl believe it then their mission is accomplished.
— Tamkenat (@TamkenatM) May 28, 2023
Report this plz. https://t.co/5ycLszUd3o
In their response, the critics targeted Imran and others for sharing such a fake news, describing it an organised methodology used to spread disinformation. They even said that Imran was was leading from the front on propaganda.
Imran Khan is leading from the front on propaganda atleast. Tweeting fake videos with distorted stories. Quite a lot of fodder for imranists (look I don't even use youthiyas anymore)
— berbaad benches (@mahobili) May 28, 2023
