A video from a printing press in Royal Park, Lakshmi Chowk, Lahore, was circulated online as purported evidence of electoral malfeasance, championed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The video was also shared by PTI’s leader, Imran Khan’s Twitter account; the footage was presented with claims of uncovering fraudulent ballot papers for the NA-15 constituency, a seat contested by Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). However, the video’s authenticity and allegations were quickly challenged and discredited, diminishing its impact as credible evidence of election fraud.
Critics questioned the need for post-election ballot printing and the journalists’ direct involvement in releasing the video. Doubts about the video’s legitimacy arose, with journalists Rai Saqib Kharal and Imran Arshad under scrutiny for not personally sharing the clip.
Amidst the controversy, the journalists and an editor hinted at the video’s dubious origin, suggesting manipulation by an external source. A respected journalist, Nasrullah Malik, demanded thorough scrutiny, wary of unwittingly supporting a political agenda.
Mansoor Ali Khan reported that the journalists’ “source” had independently leaked the video after they sought to verify the claims. PTI’s narrative included accusations of the press being PML-N affiliated, echoed in Khan’s social media posts.
PML-N’s Azma Bokhari denounced the journalists as PTI supporters and called for an FIA investigation. Despite the controversy, the video remains on Khan’s account, amplified by PTI activists like Azhar Mashwani.
