Claim: Following a shooting incident involving two armed individuals during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, Australia, on 14 December, social media users began circulating a purported press release attributed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The document claimed that one of the attackers had visited Rawalpindi Cantonment between 1 and 5 December as part of a “cultural exchange programme” involving non-state actors.
On 16 December, an Indian social media user shared the alleged press release on X (formerly Twitter), dated the same day and bearing what appeared to be the signature of “Tahir Andarabi,” described as the spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document asserted that, “in the spirit of transparency,” the Ministry was confirming the attackers’ presence in Pakistan shortly before the incident in Australia.
By the time this article was prepared, the post had received over 119,000 views, more than 1,000 reposts, and approximately 3,000 likes. The same document was subsequently amplified by several other Indian social media accounts, further expanding its reach.
Verdict
False. The press release attributed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fabricated.
Facts
TKC Fact Check verified the claim and found no evidence to support the authenticity of the circulating document.
A senior official at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, told that categorically rejected the document, calling it “fake.” In a message response, the official stated that the language and formulation of the text itself clearly indicated fabrication.
Further verification confirmed that no such press release was published on the official website of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 16 December or on any surrounding dates. A review of the Ministry’s official press releases archive shows no record of any statement addressing the Bondi Beach incident or alleging travel to Pakistan by any of the attackers.
In addition, the document contains multiple inconsistencies that undermine its credibility. Notably, it does not carry a serial number, which is a mandatory feature of all official MoFA press releases. The formatting, structure, and writing style also do not match the Ministry’s established standards or official communication templates.
The alleged designation of “Tahir Andarabi” as the Foreign Office spokesperson is also questionable, as no such individual holds or has held that position in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, neither Pakistani nor reputable international media outlets have reported any link between the Bondi Beach attackers and Pakistan, nor have they suggested that any suspect involved in the incident visited Pakistan in December.
Conclusion
The press release circulating on social media and falsely attributed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is entirely fabricated. The Ministry has issued no such statement, and there is no credible evidence or verified media reporting to support claims that any individual involved in the Bondi Beach shooting visited Pakistan prior to the incident. The document appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead audiences through the use of a forged official format and false attribution.
Final Verdict: Fake
