Are AI-generated deepfakes escalating communal discord on Pakistan’s social media?

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Are AI-generated deepfakes escalating communal discord on Pakistan’s social media?

Synopsis

Explore the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfakes on Pakistan's social media, revealing how these manipulated videos are fueling communal tensions against India. This troubling trend highlights significant implications for regional stability and the integrity of information dissemination.

Key Takeaways

  • AI-generated deepfakes are increasingly prevalent on social media.
  • These videos aim to incite communal tensions against India.
  • Manipulated clips often exhibit audiovisual glitches.
  • High-profile figures are implicated in the dissemination of disinformation.
  • Intense international vigilance is required to combat these trends.

New Delhi, Dec 27 (NationPress) Numerous AI-generated videos and images disseminated by accounts associated with Pakistan’s security apparatus have inundated the nation’s social media landscape in recent months. These efforts aim to incite communal tensions and propagate misleading narratives against India, as reported by a media outlet.

The International Business Times highlighted that journalists and analysts discovered many viral posts originated from X accounts linked to Pakistan’s military and intelligence.

Fact-checkers have invalidated manipulated clips that imitate news formats yet display strange audiovisual inconsistencies, such as erratic eye movements, disjointed speech, and mismatched lip-syncing.

“This trend poses a significant risk to regional stability and threatens Pakistan's information ecosystem. International vigilance is necessary to curb Pakistan’s dissemination of mass disinformation on social media,” the report stated.

Instances include an AI-generated clip featuring IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, allegedly criticizing India’s Tejas fighter, and another attributed to former Indian Army Chief V.P. Malik, spreading false communal narratives.

An account purportedly responsible for circulating these videos, 'PakVocals,' was followed by Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ataullah Tarar, indicating possible endorsement from the nation's leadership.

Moreover, the method of operation, characterized by quick deletions and networks amplifying each other, resembles a coordinated influence campaign rather than the actions of random individuals. Pakistani officials have acknowledged an issue of “organized disinformation,” even while they publicly accuse others of it.

Even international conflicts have been distorted in this Pakistan-led disinformation effort. An example is the Israel-Iran war in 2025, where numerous Pakistani news outlets broadcast an AI-manipulated video of a supposed invasion of an Israeli studio, failing to recognize the footage was entirely fabricated.

Similarly, AI-altered videos of Indian journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay are circulating within Pakistani social media networks, falsely depicting her endorsing Indian government-backed financial investment platforms or questioning diplomatic protocols regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jordan.

Point of View

It is critical to recognize the dangers posed by disinformation campaigns. The rise of AI-generated content is not merely a technological issue; it reflects broader societal challenges. The integrity of information is paramount, and we must advocate for transparency and accountability in media practices, promoting a culture of fact-checking and truth.
NationPress
05/01/2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What are AI-generated deepfakes?
AI-generated deepfakes are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence techniques, including manipulated videos and images that can misrepresent reality.
How do these deepfakes affect communal harmony?
Deepfakes can spread misinformation that incites communal tensions, leading to increased conflict and societal discord.
Who is behind the dissemination of these deepfakes in Pakistan?
Accounts linked to Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishments are reportedly behind the spread of these manipulated videos.
What measures can be taken against disinformation?
International cooperation and vigilance are essential to counter the spread of disinformation, including promoting fact-checking and media literacy.
What implications do deepfakes have for regional stability?
The spread of disinformation through deepfakes can undermine trust in media, escalate tensions between nations, and destabilize regions.
Nation Press