Authors
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
Viral footage showing live kidnapping by Pakistan Army in busy streets of Karachi
Fact check/Verification
Newschecker decided to verify the video and began by conducting a keyword search on Google. We found reports carrying keyframes of the viral video published on Pakistan’s leading news websites Daily Pakistan, GeoUrdu and Bol News . According to these reports, the video is from Karachi Road, and the person being thrashed by security personnel is actually a professional criminal wanted for selling drugs near the Mayo Shah Graveyard. The reports further revealed that the accused was trying to run away from the Rangers during the checks.
Other news websites have also published the same news, explaining similar details. The reports can be read here, here and here.
The video was also shared widely by social media users in Pakistan, who criticised the treatment of the alleged drug dealer, including Dr PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. “It would have been better to have dealt with him according to the law instead of beating him up in public,” he tweeted.
Thus, our investigation reveals that the video of a man being beaten and taken away by Pakistan rangers in Karachi does not show a kidnapping on cam as alleged in the viral social media post, but shows security personnel apprehending an alleged drug smuggler.
Result: False
Our Sources
Report published on Daily Pakistan, published on February 10, 2023
Report published on GeoTV, published on February 10, 2023
Report published on BolNews, published on February 10, 2023
Report published on FirstPost, published on February 11, 2023
Report published on Dawn.com, published on February 11, 2023
Report published on Times Of India, published on February 10, 2023
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Authors
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.
