ISLAMABAD: A voice message circulating on WhatsApp in Pakistan falsely claims that over 3,000 orphaned children from Gaza have arrived in Islamabad and are available for adoption. The message includes a contact number for Pakistani families interested in adopting these kids. However, latter the local media reported that the claim was completely false. A social media post shared on April 14 claimed that 3,000 children had arrived in Pakistan from Palestine. With the post, a 37-second audio message was attached reiterating the same claim. This audio is widely circulating in WhatsApp groups across Pakistan.
Local Media investigated the phone number shared online and found it to be fraudulent. Additionally, government officials from various departments have refuted the online claims of children from Gaza being available for adoption in Pakistan.
It was reported that when called on the cell phone number listed in the online posts, a man named Muhammad Azam answered. Azam stated, “Someone has shared my phone number in a fake online post. I have complained to the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) as well.” He emphasized that he was not involved in this matter and having no knowledge of any Palestinian children.
In a statement, Mustafa Jamal Kazi the director general of the government’s immigration and passports department in Islamabad has rejected the claims and said that no children has arrived in Pakistan from Gaza.
Similarly, a senior official of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated they had not received any such complaint or information.
