A manipulated video of an interview with Aleema Khan, sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has circulated widely on social media, leading to significant misinformation about her comments regarding the country’s army chief, Asif Munir. The distorted clip portrays Aleema Khan calling Munir a “radicalised Islamist” and accusing him of wanting war with India, claims that were not present in the original interview aired by Sky News.
During the genuine broadcast, which aired on December 3, 2025, Aleema Khan addressed her brother’s incarceration, which has drawn international attention since his imprisonment in 2023. She attributed her family’s restricted access to Imran Khan to Munir, stating, “I hold him responsible for what’s being done to me because it is against all regulations.” The original segment did not include any direct references to Munir’s alleged radicalism or claims regarding the India-Pakistan conflict.
In the altered video, which has sparked outrage and confusion, Aleema Khan appears to respond to questions about the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in May 2025. The clip claims Munir engineered the conflict to enhance his Islamic identity and accuses him of selectively targeting Hindus. Such assertions have further inflamed the ongoing political and social turmoil surrounding Imran Khan’s situation.
Yalda Hakim, the Sky News anchor who conducted the interview, highlighted the manipulative nature of the video, labeling it a “deepfake” that is “deeply disturbing.” She later reiterated this concern in a post on social media, emphasizing the serious implications of spreading false information. Analysis from Hiya, an AI voice detection tool, confirmed a 98 percent likelihood that the audio in the clip was artificially generated.
The incident has not only garnered attention due to the misinformation surrounding Imran Khan but also reflects the broader issue of digital manipulation in media. Aleema Khan’s original interview, which can be viewed on Sky News’ official YouTube channel, clarifies her remarks and the context in which they were made. The unaltered interview focuses on her family’s distress over the lack of contact with Imran Khan, contrasting sharply with the sensationalized narrative propagated by the deepfake.
As Imran Khan continues to face numerous corruption charges—claims he vehemently denies—his supporters remain vigilant. On November 26, 2025, rumors of his death led to protests outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where he has been held for over two years. His sister, Uzma Khan, later confirmed his well-being following a visit on December 3.
The spread of this altered video serves as a stark reminder of the potential for misinformation to shape public perception and political discourse. With the increasing prevalence of deepfake technology, the need for critical media literacy and responsible sharing of information has never been more urgent.
