ISLAMABAD: A journalist who wrote a news story for CBS News claiming that Pakistan “quietly allowed” Iranian military aircraft to park at its airfieldsuse its airfields for protection from possible US airtrikes has history of reporting fake news and past dismissals.
The report, attributed to journalist James LaPorta, cited unnamed US officials and alleged that Iran had sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi days after a reported ceasefire announcement involving US President Donald Trump and Iran.
It further claimed that among the aircraft was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance and intelligence platform.
The report has faced criticism over sourcing standards and verification.
Journalist James LaPorta was previously dismissed from Associated Press over reporting errors linked to a story on a missile strike in Poland that killed two people.
Senior journalist Fahd Hussain also highlighted the issue in his programme and social media, sharing screenshots on X posts questioning the credibility of the CBS report.
He described the report as “poorly sourced” and “professionally weak” and pointed to LaPorta’s past dismissal as part of the criticism.
So it turns out one of the reporters @JimLaPorta who wrote the @CBSNews poorly sourced, professionally weak & clearly slanted story was fired from The Associated Press @AP for erroneous reporting. Here’s the proof in my show (plus added screenshots) pic.twitter.com/KvNbS0GnQY
— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) May 12, 2026
Pakistan strongly rejected the report. The Foreign Office called it misleading and sensationalised.
A spokesperson said such speculative reporting appeared aimed at undermining Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability and peace.
The spokesperson added that aircraft from both the United States and Iran had visited Pakistan following the ceasefire and during early rounds of US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
It said the aircraft were linked to diplomatic logistics, including movement of personnel involved in negotiations.
Some aircraft and support teams, according to the statement, remained temporarily in Pakistan ahead of further rounds of engagement.
