Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Viral Video Supporting Rajab Butt Confirmed as AI-Generated

A deepfake video falsely depicting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressing support for YouTuber Rajab Butt has been debunked by fact-checkers and government officials. The synthetic video, which garnered over three million views online, was created using artificial intelligence technology.

The manipulated clip began circulating on December 30, just one day after Butt was physically assaulted at a sessions court in Karachi. In the fabricated footage, a voice resembling Chief Minister Sharif condemns the attack, stating: “Today, when some despicable lawyers attacked Rajab Butt outside the court, it caused him serious harm and he was injured.” The fake video goes on to suggest that those responsible would face consequences for the “injustice committed against Rajab Butt.”

Multiple AI detection tools have confirmed the video’s fraudulent nature. The University at Buffalo’s DeepFake-o-Meter analyzed the clip and determined it was likely AI-generated, returning a fake probability score of 84.44%. Similarly, Hiya, a specialized deepfake voice detection tool, gave the audio a low authenticity score of just 24 out of 100, strongly suggesting synthetic audio manipulation.

Google’s SynthID, a detection tool developed by Google DeepMind specifically designed to identify AI-generated content, also flagged the video as artificial. Technical analysis revealed significant inconsistencies between the fabricated clip and Sharif’s verified public speeches, particularly in voice modulation, tone, and accent patterns.

Punjab’s Minister for Information Azma Zahid Bokhari has officially confirmed to Geo Fact Check that the circulating video is “fake,” adding governmental verification to the technical evidence.

This incident highlights the growing challenge of deepfake technology in the political sphere. As AI tools become increasingly accessible to the public, the potential for creating convincing but entirely fabricated content featuring political figures has raised serious concerns about misinformation.

The timing of the deepfake is particularly notable, coming amid heightened tensions following the assault on Rajab Butt. The YouTuber’s attack at the Karachi court had already generated significant public attention, creating fertile ground for the spread of misinformation.

Digital media experts note that this case demonstrates the evolving sophistication of AI-generated content, which can now mimic public figures with increasing accuracy. The rapid spread of the video—accumulating more than 581,000 views and 68,000 likes before being debunked—underscores the viral potential of such fabrications.

Pakistan, like many countries, is grappling with the regulatory and societal implications of AI-generated deepfakes. The incident comes amid growing calls for stronger safeguards against synthetic media that could potentially disrupt political processes or spread false information during sensitive periods.

Fact-checking organizations are increasingly relying on specialized AI detection tools to combat this trend. Geo Fact Check, which investigated this particular case, has encouraged readers to report suspicious content for verification.

As deepfake technology continues to advance, media literacy experts emphasize the importance of public awareness and critical consumption of online content, particularly videos featuring political figures making unexpected or controversial statements. This case serves as a reminder that even high-definition, seemingly authentic video content can be entirely manufactured using readily available AI tools.