Fact check: Viral video of Senate opposition leader saying Pakistan allowed US to use airspace against Iran is doctored

2026-03-04 - 17:34

Multiple anti-state, Indian and Afghan accounts on social media platform X have been sharing a video since March 2, claiming that it shows Allama Raja Nasir, opposition leader in the Senate, saying Pakistan allowed the United States to use its airspace against Iran. However, the clip is doctored using artificial intelligence (AI). Israel and the United States launched joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, and assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, significantly escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal, and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases. The war entered its fifth day on Wednesday, with no let-up in attacks by the US, Israel or Iran. Meanwhile, Washington has said it was winning in the war against Iran, adding that the US military could fight as long as needed. On March 2, an anti-state account on X shared a clip of Nasir speaking on a talk show with the caption: “Pakistan is playing double game once again like it played in post-9/11. Its military got 33$ billion aid from the USA and hosted Osama Bin Laden for 10 years. “Pakistan is now hosting Hamas, Hezbollah, IRGC second rank leadership and also providing air bases of Balochistan (without the consent and will of the Baloch nation) to facilitate attacks on Iran.”