AI-generated video falsely links Imran Khan sister to war comments
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 1 hour ago | JP Staff Report
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Journalist warns followers after a fabricated deepfake misrepresents a Sky News interview, falsely suggesting a 2025 Pakistan-India war was discussed, a case reflecting rising AI-driven political misinformation.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Journalist and anchor Yalda Hakim has issued a public alert regarding a fabricated deepfake video that misrepresents an interview she conducted with Aleema Khan, the sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. The fake video falsely suggests that the interview included a discussion of a 2025 Pakistan-India war, a claim that Hakim says never took place.
The original interview aired, December 2, 2025, on the Sky News program The World with Yalda Hakim. In that broadcast, Aleema Khan spoke about concerns over Imran Khan’s conditions in Adiala Jail and broader political tensions in Pakistan, but did not discuss any war with India.
Context of rising political tension and disinformation
In recent months, Pakistan has witnessed heightened political instability, particularly following Imran Khan’s imprisonment in August 2023 on corruption charges. The political climate remains volatile as supporters and critics debate the legitimacy of his detention and the government’s intentions.
The false war-discussion video appears to be part of a broader pattern of digital propaganda aimed at undermining opposition figures like Imran Khan, especially by exploiting public fears of regional conflict.
The risks of AI-generated misinformation for journalism and public trust
Experts globally have warned that deepfakes and AI-generated content are increasingly used to spread misinformation, particularly in politically sensitive regions and conflict zones. Though there are no peer-reviewed studies specific to Pakistan yet, prior research indicates, such content risks eroding trust in media coverage and fueling polarization.
The emergence of this fake video underscores how easily manipulated content can distort public perception, misrepresent real events, and target individuals, including journalists, for political ends.
KEY POINTS:
- Yalda Hakim publicly flagged a fabricated deepfake claiming her Sky News interview with Aleema Khan discussed a 2025 Pakistan-India war
- The genuine interview aired, December 2, 2025, focused on Imran Khan’s jail conditions and political tensions, not war
- The deepfake appears to be part of broader digital propaganda amid Pakistan’s post-2024 political instability and conflict-related fears
- AI-generated misinformation remains a growing threat to journalism integrity and public trust, especially in volatile political contexts
- The incident highlights the need for vigilance from audiences and media platforms against manipulated video content
PHOTO: Yalda Hakim interviews Aleema Khan on Sky News during the December 2, 2025, broadcast of The World with Yalda Hakim
