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LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a detailed investigation into the circulation of doctored images and videos involving Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The AI-generated content, which went viral on social media, falsely depicted an interaction between the two during the UAE president’s visit to Rahim Yar Khan last Sunday.
During the visit, the UAE president was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with Maryam Nawaz also present to greet him with a handshake.
However, shortly after the event, manipulated visuals of their handshake began circulating, primarily targeting Maryam Nawaz. Critics, particularly from the PTI faction, were quick to question the appropriateness of the greeting, fueling the spread of these altered images and videos.
The FIA’s cybercrime division, based in Lahore, swiftly responded to the matter and initiated an investigation. Officials identified several social media accounts responsible for disseminating the fabricated content, which included both images and videos designed to mislead the public and create negative propaganda.
The FIA has confirmed that 10 social media accounts were involved in spreading the misleading visuals, and the investigation is now focused on scrutinizing these accounts both within Pakistan and internationally.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a fake letter purportedly from the UAE Embassy surfaced online. The fabricated document allegedly requested the Pakistani government to take immediate action against the false narratives surrounding the interaction between the Punjab CM and the UAE president.
The FIA has promised to take stringent actions against those responsible for creating and sharing this disinformation. As part of the effort to tackle growing cyber crimes and misinformation on social media platforms, the agency has vowed to ensure that accountability is enforced.
Additionally, the investigation is ongoing, with authorities working towards curbing the spread of such harmful content and ensuring a crackdown on those involved in manipulating public perception online.
This move by the FIA is part of broader efforts to combat the rise of AI-generated fake content, which is becoming an increasing concern on social media. As misinformation continues to spread rapidly, the FIA has emphasized its commitment to keeping a watchful eye on such developments and holding individuals or groups accountable for their actions.
