Fact check: Woman in viral abuse video has no connection to Salman Akram Raja

Last month, a video went viral on Pakistani social media, in which a woman was seen verbally and physically abusing a motorcyclist. The incident occurred after a collision between her car and the motorcycle.

According to a report by Geo News on Tuesday, the video was widely shared, with claims that the woman in the footage was the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer and politician Salman Akram Raja. This claim is false.

Earlier, social media users were expressing concerns over a video circulating on Instagram showing a woman driver shouting, abusing, and physically assaulting a bike rider in the capital city of Pakistan.

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According to national media, the verbal fight and physical assault started after a minor accident outside Polyclinic Hospital on Monday. The woman can be seen abusing the man in anger in the viral clip, while the man is apparently a rider of Bykea, a bike service available in most cities of Pakistan.

What was the claim?

On February 17, a 55-second video was posted by a user on X (formerly Twitter), showing a woman angrily attacking a motorcyclist after a traffic accident. In the video, she can be heard using abusive language and claiming that her car is more expensive than the man’s motorcycle.

One user wrote, “This family is fraudulent. A video of PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja’s sister assaulting a poor Bikea rider has gone viral. Look at how she is abusing him. Like brother, like sister.” Similar claims spread on Facebook as well, which can be seen here.

The Facts

According to Salman Akram Raja and a senior police officer, the woman in the video has no connection to the politician. Speaking to the media, Salman Akram Raja confirmed, “She is certainly not my sister. She has no relation to me. I have only one sister, and she lives abroad.”

A Senior Superintendent of Islamabad Police Muhammad Shoaib Khan provided details of the police investigation to media. According to the FIR, the incident took place on February 17 in Islamabad.

Muhammad Shoaib Khan clarified, “A case has been registered, and action is ongoing at the Women Police Station. So far, we have found no evidence linking the woman in the video to any political affiliation.”