A manipulated video featuring Aleema Khan, the sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has circulated widely on social media, misleading viewers about her comments regarding Army Chief Asim Munir. The clip falsely depicts Aleema Khan labeling Munir as a “radicalised Islamist” who seeks war with India. British broadcaster Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim condemned the video as a deepfake, describing it as “deeply disturbing.”
The original interview aired on December 3, 2025, and featured Aleema Khan discussing her brother’s incarceration, which began in 2023. During the interview, she expressed her belief that Munir is responsible for her family’s limited access to Imran Khan, who has faced numerous corruption allegations, which he denies. The distorted clip, shared in multiple posts on social media platforms, claimed Aleema Khan made incendiary remarks about Munir’s role in the India-Pakistan conflict.
In the original interview, Aleema Khan clarified that her brother holds Munir accountable for his situation. “I hold him responsible for what’s being done to me because it is against all regulations,” she stated, quoting Imran Khan. At no point did she mention the India-Pakistan conflict or Munir’s involvement in it. The misinformation sparked significant unrest among supporters of Imran Khan, especially following rumors about his health.
On November 26, 2025, supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party protested outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where Imran Khan has been imprisoned for over two years. Following the uproar, Aleema Khan confirmed her brother is “alive and well” after a meeting on December 3, 2025.
To verify the authenticity of the video, AFP conducted a reverse image search and located the original interview on Sky News’ official YouTube channel. In this version, Yalda Hakim asks Aleema Khan about the rationale behind the restrictions on visiting Imran Khan. The interview did not include any of the sensational statements attributed to her in the altered clip.
Following the emergence of the deepfake, Yalda Hakim reiterated on social media that the manipulated video is a significant concern. An analysis using AI detection tools indicated a 98 percent likelihood that the audio in the altered video was generated by artificial intelligence, further confirming the manipulation.
The incident highlights the growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age, especially regarding politically sensitive figures like Imran Khan. As debates continue over the integrity of media and the impact of AI technology, the need for vigilance in discerning authentic content becomes increasingly critical.
