A manipulated video of an interview with Aleema Khan, sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has circulated widely on social media, misleading viewers about her statements regarding the country’s Army Chief Asif Munir. In the altered clip, Aleema Khan allegedly labels Munir a “radicalised Islamist” and accuses him of desiring conflict with India. This claim has been debunked as a deepfake, prompting strong reactions from credible sources.
In a broadcast by British network Sky News, anchor Yalda Hakim referred to the video as “deeply disturbing,” emphasizing the potential harm such fabrications can cause. The original interview, aired on December 3, 2025, revealed Aleema Khan discussing her brother’s imprisonment without making the incendiary comments attributed to her in the altered video.
Background on Imran Khan’s Imprisonment
Imran Khan has been incarcerated since 2023, facing multiple corruption charges, which he denies. His supporters argue that he has been denied necessary prison visits from family and legal representatives. Tensions escalated recently when rumors of Khan’s death sparked significant protests outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he has been held for over two years. These protests were fueled by a social media post in which Khan accused Munir of orchestrating his persecution.
On December 3, 2025, after a visit from his sister Uzma Khan, supporters received confirmation that Imran Khan is “alive and well.” Despite the chaotic atmosphere surrounding his imprisonment, the misrepresented video of Aleema Khan has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing political crisis in Pakistan.
Analysis of the Deepfake Video
The altered video circulated on platforms like X and Instagram, claiming that Aleema Khan had made serious allegations against Munir regarding the India-Pakistan conflict. A reverse image search confirmed that the original interview was posted on Sky News’ official YouTube channel, where Aleema Khan addressed the issue of her brother’s access to family members, quoting their other sister about Khan’s health and the responsibility of Asif Munir.
In her actual response, Aleema Khan emphasized that Imran Khan holds Munir accountable for the injustices he faces in prison, stating, “I hold him responsible for what’s being done to me because it is against all regulations.” At no point did she comment on any supposed desire for war between India and Pakistan, nor did she refer to Munir as a “radicalised Islamist.”
According to a report by AFP, the deepfake video has been identified using AI detection tools, which showed a 98 percent likelihood that the audio had been artificially generated. This incident represents a growing concern regarding the spread of misinformation and the potential consequences of such technology in political discourse.
As the situation continues to develop, the integrity of information shared in the public domain remains crucial, especially concerning high-profile figures like Imran Khan. The reaction to this misleading video underscores the importance of verifying sources and claims before sharing content that could incite further unrest or misunderstanding.
