The edited photos also circulated elsewhere on X and on Facebook here, here and here.
While the comments showed that some social media users had doctored the images, others seemed convinced they were authentic.
“Congratulations @Jemima_Khan on your children’s Hajj,” read one comment.
“May Allah accept their hajj,” said another.
Pakistani media organization Soch Fact Check previously debunked the footage (archived link).
A reverse Google search revealed that the photo of the couple on a plane came from a photo posted on Instagram by Asim Riaz, who appeared on the popular Indian reality show Bigg Boss (archived links here and here).
Riaz, who posted the photo on March 24, 2023, is sitting next to Aly Goni, who starred in another season of the same reality show (archived link).
The caption of the post included a hashtag indicating that both traveled to Mecca to make a pilgrimage that was made at any time of the year and which, unlike the Hajj, is not obligatory for Muslims.
Below you can see a screenshot comparison of the first edited image (left) and the original photo of Riaz’s Instagram account (right):
Riaz posted several photos from his Umrah pilgrimage on Instagram.
Indian media Hindustan Times and ANI reported on Riaz and Goni’s umrah pilgrimage in 2023 (archived links here and here).
Meanwhile, another edited photo shared on social media showed the brothers in front of the Kaaba. It originally featured reality star Riaz.
He posted the photo on Instagram on April 9, 2023, with the caption: “Alhamdulihah (praise God) umrah with my brother” (archived link).
The image of the Kaaba was digitally added to that photo.
Below is a screenshot comparison of the edited image circulating online (left) and the original photo (right):
Imran Khan, who was found guilty of corruption over gifts he received while prime minister, is still wildly popular in Pakistan despite not being on the electoral list for the April 2024 elections.
Although his 14-year sentence is suspended, the conviction still stands.
In June, a Pakistani high court overturned his treason conviction, but he remains in prison for violating Islamic law by marrying his wife Bushra Bibi prematurely after her divorce.
He claims the events were orchestrated to prevent his return to power.
AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation about Khan, here, here and here.
