Social media is awash with prints purporting to depict former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan donning a beard while incarcerated in Adiala Jail. Even so, the image’s manipulation has been refuted.
Origins of the Claim
The print rapidly garnered online attention after Khan’s sentencing in the Toshakhana case, accompanied by assertions that it portrayed his physical state while incarcerated in Adiala Jail. The image stimulated concern among individuals regarding his health and elicited emotional reactions from both supporters and critics.
Verifying the Facts of the Photograph
A number of fact-checking organizations, such as iVerify and DAWN, investigated the viral image. By conducting reverse image searches and consulting experts in image manipulation, it was ascertained that the beard had been digitally augmented onto an original print of Khan that had been captured prior to his imprisonment.
Key Evidence
- Reverse Image Search: The initial edition, which did not feature the goatee, was located in August 2023, well in advance of Khan’s incarceration.
- Expert Analysis: Inconsistencies in the appearance of the beard, which were linked by expert analysis tools designed to describe image manipulation, indicated that the facial hair did not appear to be an organic component of the print.
- On-the-Ground Reporting: Journalists analysts on the ground reporting that Khan has appeared in court at Adiala Jail confirmed that he is, in fact, clean-divested.
Also read: PTI Considers Renewed Intra-Party Elections
Conclusion
The counterfeit print circulating that depicts Imran Khan sporting a beard has gone viral. In an effort to delude the public regarding his appearance and potentially elicit positive or negative sentiment, it has been altered digitally. It is crucial to rely on credible sources and fact-checking organizations prior to engaging with or placing trust in information that is circulating online, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics such as this.
