False reports suggesting that a civil war had erupted in Karachi have been widely circulating on Indian news sites and social media this week. The claims, which allege violent clashes between the Pakistani army and police, have been debunked as misinformation.
The rumors began after local Pakistani media reported an incident in which the provincial police chief was allegedly kidnapped by security forces to compel him to arrest a senior opposition leader. While this sparked discussions within Pakistan, Indian social media and news platforms exaggerated the situation, falsely claiming that large-scale violence had broken out in Karachi.
Misinformation rapidly spread across Indian social media, with posts alleging that multiple Karachi police officers had been killed in clashes with the military and that tanks had been deployed on the city’s streets. A fabricated video shared on Twitter further fueled the false narrative, purporting to show unrest in Karachi.
However, fact-checking has confirmed that no such civil war occurred. No verified reports support the claim of a military-police confrontation, casualties, or tanks on Karachi’s streets. The viral video in circulation has also been proven to be unrelated to the alleged incident.
This incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and its potential to inflame tensions between India and Pakistan. Authorities urge social media users to verify information from credible sources before sharing unverified claims that can mislead the public and escalate unnecessary alarm.
