ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar took notice after journalist Benazir Shah reported that an account he followed on X had created an AI-generated video falsely depicting her. Shah condemned the video, which was shared by the account PakVocals and described as a “leaked video” of her “dancing in a club in London,” adding that such attacks would not silence journalists.
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Responding to Shah, Tarar called the video “totally unacceptable and highly condemnable,” assuring that action would be taken. “Nobody has the right to make fake videos and then disseminate them or try to harass any journalist by defaming them. I follow more than 1,900 accounts. I do not condone the behaviour of this account and also assure you that action will be taken,” he said.
Totally unacceptable and highly condemnable ma’am. Notice taken please. Nobody has the right to make fake videos and then disseminate them or try to harass any journalist by defaming them. I follow more than 1900 accounts. I do not condone the behaviour of this account and also… https://t.co/APd2n7t7HQ
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) November 16, 2025
The matter sparked support from the journalistic community. Zahid Gishkori called the creation of the deepfake “condemnable” and urged an investigation, while Asad Ali Toor criticized the account as politically motivated and a part of a larger smear campaign. Meher Bokhari also highlighted the need for respect toward journalists, condemning harassment across party lines.
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The incident underscores growing concerns over AI-generated content and its potential misuse to defame and harass media professionals, highlighting the call for accountability and ethical conduct on social media platforms.
This is not who we were meant to become. Whether it’s PTI supporters harassing @shazbkhanzdaGEO or PMLN supporters circulating fake AI videos of @Benazir_Shah
none of it reflects who we are.
Both are hardworking journalists, people who have dedicated their lives to informing…— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) November 16, 2025