Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Burj Khalifa did not display the Pakistani flag on the occasion of their Independence Day on August 14.
Fact
Viral claims found to be false, the skyscraper was lit up with the Pakistani flag on August 14, 2023, at 7:50pm.
Several social media users are circulating a video, purportedly showing a gathering of Pakistani nationals near Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa on August 14 midnight, claiming that they were left disappointed after the skyscraper did not display the Pakistani flag to mark the country’s Independence Day, while stating that it lit up with India’s Tricolour to commemorate India’s 77th Independence Day.
The narrator in the video is heard saying, “The time is 12:01 am now and the Dubai officials have informed us that Pakistan’s national flag won’t be displayed on Burj Khalifa. This has become our status now. Pakistanis are raising slogans here but Pakistan’s flag won’t be displayed on Burj Khalifa. So sad, a prank has been played on Pakistanis.”
We have received this claim on our Whatsapp tipline (9999499044), too, requesting it to be fact-checked. The archived versions of the tweets can be seen here and here.
Burj Khalifa is known for hosting daily light shows as well as special displays on occasions such as New Year’s and Independence/National Days of other countries on one side of its facade (facing Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai). According to a Gulf News report, a media file of the show plays on a laptop connected to a “main brain” server, which, through a network of fibre optics and smaller brains, tells tiny LED lights on the facade to display a particular colour.
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Fact Check
Newschecker first looked up the official Instagram handle of Burj Khalifa, where we came across this video, dated August 15, 2023, of the iconic tower lit up with the Pakistani flag.
“#BurjKhalifa lights up to celebrate The Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s Independence Day. Wishing the people of Pakistan a day filled with pride, unity and prosperity as you celebrate the rich heritage and achievements of your great nation. May the future hold even greater success and happiness for all Pakistanis. Happy Independence Day!,” read the Instagram post. Several users, however, in the comment section pointed out that the congratulatory message projected onto the tower read, “”Happy 76th Independence Day of Pakistan”, doubting whether the video is from last year. The official handle responded to one such doubt, clarifying that the Pakistani flag was displayed yesterday (August 14, 2023) at 7:50PM.
A relevant keyword search led us to multiple media reports, including Khaleej Times, which confirmed that the news doing the rounds that Pakistan’s flag was not displayed on Burj Khalifa on the country’s Independence Day on August 14 is false.
Also Read: Viral Message Claiming CJI Chandrachud Has Urged Citizens To Revolt Against Govt Is False
Conclusion
Viral claims stating that Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa did not light up with the Pakistani flag on their Independence Day were found to be false.
Result: False
Sources
Burj Khalifa Instagram account, August 15, 2023
Khaleej Times report, August 15, 2023
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
