LAHORE: A damning report has surfaced implicating 30 individuals—many of them staunch PTI supporters—in spreading false information about an alleged rape at Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC). These individuals played a pivotal role in circulating fabricated reports of sexual violence, with the clear intent of inciting unrest and fuelling anti-government sentiment. The disinformation campaign highlights a dangerous trend within Pakistan’s political landscape, where rape allegations are weaponised for political gain. This particular incident, which has now been debunked by law enforcement, is part of a broader pattern of using false sexual violence claims to manipulate public opinion and destabilise state institutions.
The individuals implicated in spreading these false allegations were identified through their social media profiles, with many using their platforms to push these dangerous narratives. Below are some of the key individuals involved in this disinformation campaign:
- Raja Ahsan Naveed
CNIC: 37401-3877216-3.
Active in promoting anti-government rhetoric, Naveed has been involved in other smear campaigns before this incident.
- Faisal Pasha
Using his social media platforms to amplify false claims, Pasha’s Twitter and TikTok accounts played a central role in propagating the fabricated Punjab College rape story.
- Faisal Shahzad
CNIC: 35202-646130-5.
Involved in circulating the allegations on various platforms, Shahzad’s profile was instrumental in garnering widespread attention.
- Fareed Shahzad
Linked with disinformation on PGC, Shahzad has a history of inflammatory content aimed at government and security institutions.
- Umar Kazi
A social media influencer, Kazi shared videos and content that helped spread the false narrative.
- Jameel Farooqui
Farooqui is a well-known PTI supporter, consistently involved in anti-state propaganda, further fanning the flames of unrest through fabricated news.
- Ayyaz Amir
Amplifying allegations on his social platforms, Amir contributed to inciting mass outrage.
- Imran Riaz Khan
A prominent PTI affiliate, Imran has been vocal in pushing anti-government agendas, including amplifying the false rape allegations.
- Ibraheem
Details of his involvement are under investigation, but his social media presence was directly tied to the disinformation campaign.
- Rabia Malik
Known for sharing false information and inciting unrest, Malik’s involvement in this case has been particularly concerning due to the large following she commands.
- Umer Daraz Gondal
Active on multiple social media platforms, Gondal played a role in spreading the false narrative about PGC.
- Muqaddas Farooq Awan
A staunch PTI supporter, Awan frequently pushes misleading content aimed at discrediting state institutions.
- Shakir Mehmood Awan
Shakir amplified the allegations across Twitter and TikTok, further inflaming tensions.
- Farah Iqrar
A pro-PTI activist, Farah’s social media activity contributed to the widespread dissemination of the fabricated incident.
- Tayyaba Raja
Known for his affiliation with PTI, Raja was instrumental in propagating the false claims about PGC.
- Saddam K Tareen
His role in amplifying anti-government propaganda has been well-documented. Tareen is now implicated in spreading these dangerous allegations.
- Ehtisham Ali Abbasi
Abbasi’s Twitter account was a key player in disseminating the fabricated rape story, with his content being shared widely by PTI supporters.
- Ahmad Bobak
His involvement in spreading misinformation about PGC is part of a broader trend of promoting disinformation for political purposes.
- Abdullah Warriach
A long-time PTI affiliate, Warriach shared the fabricated rape allegations to his large following, helping to generate significant traction.
- Muhammad Shehzad
Shehzad amplified the fake story across various social media platforms, further inciting unrest.
- Naeem Bukhari
Bukhari’s role in propagating the false allegations mirrors a pattern of PTI supporters using sensitive issues like sexual violence to provoke public outrage.
- Furqan Jutt
Using TikTok and Twitter, Jutt shared inflammatory content related to the false PGC incident.
- Sami Ibraheem: Ibraheem’s extensive social media reach was used to spread disinformation, creating a narrative of institutional failure.
- Imrana Mughal
Mughal has a history of pushing misleading narratives and played a role in amplifying this false rape allegation.
- Mian Omer Advocate
His legal background did not prevent him from participating in this disinformation campaign, using his platform to stoke unrest.
- Haseeb Ahmad
Ahmad has been a prominent figure in circulating PTI’s false narratives, including the PGC rape claim.
- Syed Khaliq ur Rehman
Rehman used his social media accounts to propagate the fabricated allegations, exacerbating the situation.
- Chaudhry Ikhlas Gujjar
Gujjar has been linked with numerous disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising the government.
- Malik Gul Nawaz Soiya
Soiya’s involvement in this case has added another layer to his history of spreading false claims designed to discredit the government.
The Five Previous Instances of Weaponising Rape Allegations
The PGC incident is not an isolated case. Over the past two years, at least five significant incidents have involved the weaponisation of rape allegations by pro-PTI factions to stoke unrest and provoke public outrage.
- Pre-May 9 Allegations: Rape Claims Against Punjab Police
In the lead-up to the violent events of May 9, 2023, PTI supporters began spreading claims that women affiliated with the party had been sexually assaulted by Punjab Police in their homes. These unsubstantiated allegations were quickly amplified on social media, generating widespread sympathy and anger towards the police. However, no concrete evidence or formal complaints were ever brought forward, and the Punjab Police categorically denied the accusations. The allegations were part of a broader effort to depict the state as oppressive and abusive, undermining its credibility.
- Post-May 9: Allegations of Sexual Violence in Custody
After the violent protests on May 9, following PTI supporters’ attacks on military and state properties, PTI-aligned social media influencers claimed that women arrested during the crackdown were raped in custody. This narrative was swiftly picked up by pro-PTI voices and circulated across various platforms. Human rights organisations, however, found no credible evidence to support these claims, and independent investigations debunked the accusations as baseless.
- The Kyrgyzstan Incident: Overseas Rape Allegations
In an attempt to generate international outrage, PTI supporters claimed that female students and journalists with party affiliations were raped while abroad in Kyrgyzstan. The narrative blamed the Pakistani government for its failure to protect its citizens overseas. As with previous incidents, the claims lacked verifiable evidence and were quickly debunked by Kyrgyz authorities. Despite this, the story served its purpose of stirring public anger and further tarnishing the government’s reputation.
- The Belgian Woman’s Rape Allegation on Independence Day
On Pakistan’s Independence Day, August 14, 2024, a woman claiming to be a Belgian national and PTI supporter alleged that she had been raped. PTI’s media wing and social media influencers quickly pushed the narrative, seeking to generate outrage against the authorities. Investigations later revealed that the woman’s identity could not be verified, and the entire incident was fabricated. Nonetheless, the false story had already sparked significant public unrest before it was debunked.
- Punjab College Incident: The Latest in a Pattern of False Claims
The most recent case involves the fabricated rape allegation at Punjab College. PTI-aligned social media voices seized on the claim and amplified it without waiting for any investigation. Thorough inquiries later revealed that no such incident had taken place. The quick dissemination of this falsehood is a continuation of the dangerous trend of using rape allegations to provoke unrest and damage state institutions.
The Dangerous Politicisation of Rape Allegations in Pakistan
The repeated use of sexual violence allegations as a political tool comes with serious repercussions. It trivialises the suffering of genuine victims, making it harder for them to come forward and seek justice. In a country like Pakistan, where rape survivors already face significant social stigma and barriers to justice, the politicisation of such cases sets a dangerous precedent.
The weaponisation of rape allegations is a deeply troubling trend in Pakistan’s political landscape. PTI and its media allies have consistently employed this strategy, using false or exaggerated claims to incite public outrage and destabilise state institutions. Each time a false claim is exposed, it further erodes public trust in the judiciary and police, making it harder for these institutions to function effectively.
Pakistan’s political discourse must rise above these dangerous tactics. Allegations of rape must be treated with the seriousness they deserve, and those who exploit such claims for political ends should be held
