Pakistan’s Supreme Court on August 18 ordered authorities to shift jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. The court also directed that his personal physician be allowed to participate in his care. Khan was transferred for examination but was later returned to prison after doctors declared him medically fit, prompting his party to allege a violation of the court’s directive.
In the above context, a video is being widely shared on social media in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan is seen in a wheelchair. The footage shows Khan being wheeled through a crowd of supporters and media personnel.
The video is shared with a caption suggesting that it is the first video of former Pak PM Imran Khan after being shifted to a hospital.
A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “Breaking News: First video of Ex Pak PM Imran Khan after being shifted to hospital.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video is from November 2022 and shows Imran Khan being released from the hospital after surviving an assassination attempt in Wazirabad.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was also shared by the YouTube channel of Agence France-Presse (AFP), dated November 7, 2022.
The video is shared with a caption that reads, “Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan leaves hospital three days after being shot in the legs in a failed assassination attempt. Khan, 70, was wounded by gunfire aimed at his open-top container truck as he led a political party convoy through thick crowds in the eastern city of Wazirabad on Thursday.”
The video predates the viral claim. Therefore, we can ascertain that the viral claim is false.
The video was also shared by TRT World News on November 7, 2022, with a caption that reads, “Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been discharged from hospital. He was injured in a gun attack on Thursday, during an anti-government rally that also left at least one person dead. Before leaving hospital, he made a statement – welcoming the government’s offer to launch a judicial commission to investigate the attack. Khan has also confirmed his protest march to demand snap elections will resume. “
Using this information, we searched with relevant keywords and found that the incident was also shared by DW on June 11, 2022.
The report suggests that Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was discharged from a Lahore hospital on November 6, 2022, three days after being wounded in a shooting during his protest march in Wazirabad. Khan suffered gunshot injuries to his legs in the apparent assassination attempt, which killed one supporter and injured 13 others. He accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others of involvement, allegations they denied. Khan said his march for snap elections would resume.
Therefore, we can ascertain that the viral claim is false.
