Information Attaullah Tarar became aware after journalist Benazir Shah said that an account she followed on social media platform X had made an AI-generated video of her. He stated that no one had the right to make “fake videos” or try to harass journalists by defaming them.
Shah posted on X on Sunday that an account on the social media platform followed by Tarar had “made a video of me with AI.”
“But as we’ve said before, we’ll say it again: #AttacksWillSilenceUS,” he added. His post was in response to the video in question, shared by an account called PakVocals. The description of the clip claimed that it was a “leaked video” of Shah “dancing in a London club.”
Tarar later responded to Shah on Sunday night saying, “Totally unacceptable and highly condemnable. Notice taken please.”
“No one has the right to make fake videos and then spread them or try to harass any journalist by defaming them. I follow more than 1,900 accounts. I do not approve of the behavior of this account and I also assure you that action will be taken,” the minister said.
Journalists also supported Shah when the matter attracted attention on social media.
“A culpable, condemnable and false crime must be investigated and whoever manipulated the video must be brought before a court of law. My sincere support to brilliant fellow journalist Benazir Shah, who always stands for facts, neutrality and truth. More power to you. Please stand firm,” journalist Zahid Gishkori posted on X.
Journalist Asad Ali Toor said he was sure the person in the video was not Shah. He said he was also sure that the account that shared the video was a “pro-PML-N account followed by pro-PML-N journalists and the minister.”
“This is [a] shameful and disgusting campaign, and I strongly condemn it. At the same time, I want to say that all political parties have their own puddle of garbage that they throw at their critics from time to time. Shameful,” he commented.
Journalist Meher Bokhari, referring to the video in question and the harassment of Geographic news Host Shahzeb Khanzada, in a separate incident, called for more respect.
“This is not who we were meant to become. Whether it’s PTI supporters harassing Shazeb Khanzada or PML-N supporters circulating fake AI videos of Benazir Shah, none of it reflects who we are.
“They are both hard-working journalists, people who have dedicated their lives to informing the public despite constant pressure. Sure, nothing makes sense here anymore, but the least we can do is hold on to our values and our respect for each other. Character is what you choose to keep intact when everything around you is falling apart,” he said.
