ISLAMABAD: A video circulating on different plate forms of social media, garnering more than one million times, apparently depicts a recent speech by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in which he appears to criticize the Pakistan Muslim League-N, for its historical failure to uplift the lives of the needy.
However, some section of media reported that the claim is inaccurate. The video in question has misconstrued Shehbaz Sharif’s words to show that he was criticizing his own party.
On April 13, a social media user had uploaded a video clip of Shehbaz Sharif in which he can be heard saying: “The lives of the poor masses in the country did not change. However, we kept lining our pockets day and night. We left no stone unturned to ensure our foes are thrown in jails. This is why today we have a begging bowl in our hands.”
Social media users claimed that Shehbaz Sharif is criticizing the PML-N’s previous governments.
Contrary to social media claims, the speech dates back to 2023 and PM Shehbaz had directed criticism towards the government of PTI rather than PML-N. According to some section of media, the video was first uploaded on July 22, 2023, when Shehbaz Sharif delivered a speech during an event in Punjab.
However, clips from his speech were edited, to falsely suggest internal scolding of his party’s administration.
