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Misinformation Debunked: Video of Pakistanis Celebrating Bondi Beach Attack Proven False
A video circulating on social media claiming to show Pakistanis celebrating the recent Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney has been definitively proven false. Fact-checkers have confirmed the footage predates the Australian attack by more than a year, showing instead a political rally held in Karachi in October 2023.
The misleading posts, which began appearing on December 15, falsely claimed the video showed celebrations in the “hometown” of Naveed Akram, one of the suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting. The posts implied that Pakistanis were celebrating the deadly attack, which claimed 15 lives during Hanukkah celebrations at the popular tourist destination.
Through reverse image searches and verification of original sources, fact-checkers determined the video actually shows a demonstration organized by the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), a right-wing Shia student group in Pakistan. The same footage appeared online on October 8-9, 2023, over a year before the December 14, 2025 Bondi Beach attack.
Social media posts from October 2023 described the gathering as a “Grand Celebration of Resistance and Solidarity with Palestinians” held at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi. The flags visible in the video match those of the ISO, which can be verified on the organization’s official website.
The ISO has issued a strong statement on Facebook condemning the misuse of their footage: “The brazen attempt by Indian circles to link the peaceful video of the program organized by ISO Karachi in October 2023… with the recent tragic terrorist incident in Sydney is based on complete deviation from the facts and is based on malice.”
Geolocation analysis further confirms the video’s authenticity, with distinctive landmarks including a Sting advertisement board visible in both the misrepresented clip and other verified footage from the 2023 event.
The Bondi Beach attack itself, which Australian authorities have described as an act of terrorism, resulted in 15 deaths, including that of a child, and left at least 40 others injured. The perpetrators were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed in a police exchange, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who was wounded, hospitalized, and later transferred to prison.
Contrary to claims in the misleading posts, Naveed Akram is not Pakistani. According to multiple reports, he was born in Australia. His father, Sajid Akram, was reportedly from Hyderabad, India, and had immigrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as “an act of evil antisemitism” and “terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.” Authorities later revealed the attack was inspired by ISIS ideology, with the suspects’ vehicle containing homemade ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices.
On December 17, Naveed Akram was charged with 59 offenses, including murder and terrorism.
The false attribution of the video represents a growing trend of misinformation following major global events, particularly terrorist attacks, where unrelated footage is repurposed to create division or spread hatred against specific ethnic or religious groups. Such misinformation can inflame tensions and contribute to cycles of prejudice during already sensitive periods.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the authenticity of social media content, especially during breaking news events when emotions run high and the potential for manipulation is greatest.
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11 Comments
It’s unfortunate to see attempts to politicize and sensationalize tragedies like the Bondi Beach shooting. I’m glad the truth about this video has been revealed.
Agreed. Spreading misinformation can undermine public trust and make it harder to have meaningful discussions around important issues.
Misinformation around sensitive incidents like this can be really damaging. I’m glad the origins of this video were traced and the false claim debunked.
Yes, it’s crucial that we rely on verified information from credible sources, especially when dealing with such a serious and tragic event.
This is a good example of how social media can be used to quickly spread false information. Glad to see the truth was uncovered through diligent fact-checking.
Agreed. It’s concerning how easily misinformation can go viral these days. Careful verification of sources is so important.
This is a good reminder of the need to be cautious about viral social media content. Fact-checking is essential to prevent the spread of misleading narratives.
Interesting to see this debunking of the false claim linking the Pakistan video to the Bondi Beach shooting. It’s important to verify information and not spread misinformation, especially around sensitive events.
Absolutely, fact-checking is crucial to prevent the spread of misleading narratives. Kudos to the investigators for tracing the origins of this video.
Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligent work in tracing the origins of this video and debunking the false claim. Responsible journalism is crucial.
The Bondi Beach shooting was a tragic event, and it’s disappointing to see attempts to exploit it through false claims. Kudos to the fact-checkers for setting the record straight.