The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three individuals for creating and spreading fake images and videos of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using Artificial Intelligence (AI) on social media.
According to media reports, the FIA initially identified 20 accounts through which these images and videos were circulated.
The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing registered cases and initiated arrests, expanding the investigation by forming a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
The JIT, which includes officials from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, and Lahore, is led by Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz. After conducting cyber patrols and investigating the social media accounts that uploaded the AI-generated videos and images, the FIA registered the cases. Authorities indicated that the investigation began following a “source report” that identified the accounts responsible for uploading these fake visuals, which created a negative impression on social media.
The FIA has arrested three suspects, and efforts to apprehend others involved are ongoing.
It is worth noting that starting from January 7, 2025, several social media users shared videos claiming to show a meeting between Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. However, these videos were fabricated using AI technology. After the viral videos showed Maryam Nawaz ‘hugging’ the UAE President, the I-Verify Pakistan team investigated and confirmed that the videos were indeed fake.
According to sources, the FIA is also searching for the person who orchestrated the plan to create and spread the fake video. However, it remains unclear who is behind the scheme.
