ISLAMABAD: A viral but baseless rumor claiming that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was killed in Adiala Jail has been firmly rejected by authorities, after the falsehood triggered public alarm and protests.
The disinformation, which alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was killed by the ISI, originated from unverified social media accounts based in Afghanistan and was subsequently amplified by segments of Indian media without independent verification .
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has officially labeled the reports “fake,” urging the public not to spread misinformation . An investigation into the viral claim revealed that the accompanying press release, purportedly from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was fabricated, with a document number that does not match official records .
The rumor was bolstered by the misuse of old photographs. One image was from a 2013 incident where Khan was injured after falling from a stage, and another was from an assassination attempt on him in November 2022, long before his current incarceration .
The spread of this false claim had tangible consequences, leading thousands of concerned PTI supporters to gather outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to demand proof of their leader’s well-being. This forced authorities to deploy additional security personnel to the area . The situation was further inflamed when Khan’s sisters, who had joined protests outside the jail after being denied a meeting with him, were allegedly assaulted by police .
Despite the official denials and lack of credible evidence, the rumors have fueled speculation and anger, partly due to the prolonged restrictions on visits to the former prime minister .
Meanwhile two National Guard members were killed in a shooting on Wednesday near the White House in Washington, DC, US officials said. A suspect is in custody.
The deaths were confirmed by West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Both victims were members of the West Virginia National Guard.
The White House was locked down after the shooting. President Donald Trump is at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
