{"id":46191,"date":"2026-04-03T15:04:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/?p=46191"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:04:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:04:26","slug":"fact-check-shahid-afridi-did-not-back-govt-over-fuel-hike-viral-clip-is-unrelated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/?p=46191","title":{"rendered":"Fact check: Shahid Afridi did not back govt over fuel hike; viral clip is unrelated"},"content":{"rendered":"
Multiple users, most of whom appear to be PTI supporters, have been sharing a video on several social media platforms since Thursday, claiming it shows former cricketer Shahid Afridi urging unconditional support for the government following the recent surge in fuel prices. However, the video predates the price hike and is part of a government austerity campaign.<\/p>\n

A day ago, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced the government\u2019s decision to raise petrol prices to Rs458.4 per litre and that of high-speed diesel\u00a0to Rs520.35 per litre. The hike was announced at a press conference held by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.<\/p>\n

Soon after the announcement, the energy ministry also notified the new prices, with petrol\u2019s price being raised by Rs137.24 per litre and diesel\u2019s by Rs184.49 per litre.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, a user, who appears to be a PTI supporter based on his past posts,\u00a0shared\u00a0a video of Afridi on X with the following caption: \u201cPakistanis, look!! To rub salt in your wounds, Lala has been brought into the field. Egg Afridi is saying, petrol prices have been increased, support the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post gained 182,000 views.<\/p>\n

The transcription of the video reads: \u201cPeace be upon you, friends. I am Shahid Afridi. Because of the war, the global energy crisis is in front of us. Pakistan is still, Alhamdulillah, much better than many other countries. Supporting the government is the most important thing. Being a Pakistani, we should try to follow the steps taken by the government so that there is no obstacle in the development of this country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Journalist\u00a0Tariq Mateen\u00a0shared the same video in the same context with the following caption: \u201cA person devoid of shame.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post garnered 180,000 views.<\/p>\n

YouTuber and former anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan also\u00a0reshared\u00a0the video with a thumbs-up, gaining 57,000 views.<\/p>\n

PTI politician and former deputy speaker of the National Assembly,\u00a0Qasim Khan Suri, shared the video in a similar context on Instagram with the caption: \u201cThis shameless person is not even ashamed of lying!\u201d<\/p>\n

Indian media outlet\u00a0India Today\u00a0also shared the same claim in a news article today, titled: \u201cAs fuel rates soar, Shahid Afridi urges Pakistanis to back govt, appeals for calm\u201d.<\/p>\n

An\u00a0Indian propaganda account, based on its past posts, also shared the same video in a similar context on X with the following caption: \u201cAfridi is supporting high petrol price.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post garnered 19,000 views.<\/p>\n

The same video in a similar context was shared by multiple users who appeared to be PTI supporters on\u00a0Facebook,\u00a0Instagram,\u00a0YouTube\u00a0and X, as can be seen\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here,\u00a0here\u00a0and\u00a0here; collectively gaining more than 300,000 views.<\/p>\n

Methodology<\/p>\n

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public concern about the drastic price increase.<\/p>\n

A reverse image search was conducted, which yielded an\u00a0X post\u00a0dated April 1, 2026, wherein the same video was shared by a user who appears to be a PML-N supporter.<\/p>\n

\u201cPakistani sportsmen are raising powerful awareness about responsible fuel use as an effective way to guide the public during tough times. After massive subsidies, conservation is now everyone\u2019s responsibility. Kudos to Attaullah Tarar,\u201d reads the caption.<\/p>\n

\u067e\u0627\u06a9\u0633\u062a\u0627\u0646 \u06a9\u06d2 \u0633\u067e\u0631 \u0627\u0633\u0679\u0627\u0631 \u0628\u0648\u0645 \u0628\u0648\u0645 \u0634\u0627\u06c1\u062f \u0622\u0641\u0631\u06cc\u062f\u06cc \u06a9\u0627 \u067e\u06cc\u063a\u0627\u0645 pic.twitter.com\/IqhJJ2dmNv
\n\u2014 Noman Khan (@dtnoorkhan) April 1, 2026<\/p>\n

As can be seen, the video predates the announcement of the fuel price increase.<\/p>\n

The video concludes with an official logo of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting\u00a0promoting fuel conservation as a national responsibility.<\/p>\n

It must be noted that in March, Pakistan initiated a national austerity campaign to manage a severe energy crisis and cut fuel consumption. Key measures, driven by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, include a 50\u201370%\u00a0reduction in government vehicle usage, a four-day work week with 50-80%\u00a0of staff working from home, and restrictions on official events and foreign travel.<\/p>\n

A keyword search yielded the same video shared on social media page\u00a0Discover Pakistan\u00a0on Facebook with the following caption: \u201cMiddle East tensions rise: Pakistan launches fuel conservation campaign \u2014 Shahid Afridi urges public support\u201d.<\/p>\n

A hashtag \u201cPakistan campaign\u201d was also mentioned in the caption.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DiscoverPakistan.TV\/videos\/%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82-%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7%DB%8C%D9%B0-%D9%85%DB%8C%DA%BA-%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%85%DB%8C%DA%BA-%DA%A9%D9%81%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%93%DA%AF%D8%A7%DB%81%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%81%D9%85%D9%85%D8%B4\/1995187184726724\/<\/p>\n

The Express Tribune\u2019s lifestyle magazine,\u00a0Tribune Edit, shared a collage of screenshots of videos that included the viral video of Afridi on April 2, 2026.<\/p>\n

The caption of the post reads: \u201cAmid rising national tension caused by increasing oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, several prominent Pakistani celebrities have stepped forward to promote fuel conservation through televised messages.\u201d<\/p>\n

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More similar videos by other Pakistani celebrities, such as Punjabi folk singer\u00a0Arif Lohar, actress\u00a0Bushra Ansari, singer\u00a0Waris Baig\u00a0and several others in the same frame, ending with the same official graphic from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, for the austerity campaign, were found to be shared by the\u00a0Instagram\u00a0accounts.<\/p>\n

A similar post for the\u00a0austerity campaign\u00a0was also shared by the PML-N\u2019s official Facebook account, thus proving that Afridi\u2019s viral video was a part of a government austerity campaign amid a fuel crisis caused by increasing oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PmlnToday\/posts\/%D9%BE%D8%A8%D9%84%DA%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%85%DB%8C%DA%BA-%DA%A9%D9%81%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D9%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A8%DA%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%DB%8C%DA%BA-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%81-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%A8%DA%BE%D8%A7%D8%A6%DB%8C%DA%BA\/1536042494553184\/<\/p>\n

The investigation further yielded a\u00a0post on Afridi\u2019s official X account today in which he addressed the matter himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome malicious elements are trying to create a false impression by sharing my old video in which I was defending the increase in petrol prices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact is that this video was made before the recent increase. It was simply an awareness video about energy conservation and reduced usage, which was prepared at the request of the Ministry of Information, Atta Tarar. The recent increase in prices will break the back of the already crushed public, which cannot be defended,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor friends with low intellect and little knowledge: explanation \u2014 twisting this message for nefarious political purposes and attempting to mislead the public in this manner is shameful,\u201d Afridi added.<\/p>\n

\u06a9\u0686\u06be \u0634\u0631 \u067e\u0633\u0646\u062f \u0639\u0646\u0627\u0635\u0631 \u0645\u06cc\u0631\u06cc \u067e\u0631\u0627\u0646\u06cc \u0648\u06cc\u0688\u06cc\u0648 \u0634\u06cc\u0626\u0631 \u06a9\u0631 \u06a9\u06d2 \u063a\u0644\u0637 \u062a\u0627\u062b\u0631 \u062f\u06cc\u0646\u06d2 \u06a9\u06cc \u06a9\u0648\u0634\u0634 \u06a9\u0631 \u0631\u06c1\u06d2 \u06c1\u06cc\u06ba \u06a9\u06c1 \u0645\u06cc\u06ba \u067e\u06cc\u0679\u0631\u0648\u0644 \u06a9\u06cc \u0642\u06cc\u0645\u062a\u0648\u06ba \u0645\u06cc\u06ba \u0627\u0636\u0627\u0641\u06d2 \u06a9\u0627 \u062f\u0641\u0627\u0639 \u06a9\u0631 \u0631\u06c1\u0627 \u06c1\u0648\u06ba\u06d4
\n\u062d\u0642\u06cc\u0642\u062a \u06cc\u06c1 \u06c1\u06d2 \u06a9\u06c1 \u06cc\u06c1 \u0648\u06cc\u0688\u06cc\u0648 \u062d\u0627\u0644\u06cc\u06c1 \u0627\u0636\u0627\u0641\u06d2 \u0633\u06d2 \u067e\u06c1\u0644\u06d2 \u0628\u0646\u0627\u0626\u06cc \u06af\u0626\u06cc \u062a\u06be\u06cc\u06d4 \u06cc\u06c1 \u0635\u0631\u0641 \u062a\u0648\u0627\u0646\u0627\u0626\u06cc \u06a9\u06d2 \u0628\u0686\u062a \u0627\u0648\u0631 \u06a9\u0645 \u0627\u0633\u062a\u0639\u0645\u0627\u0644 \u06a9\u06d2 \u0628\u0627\u0631\u06d2 \u0645\u06cc\u06ba \u0622\u06af\u0627\u06c1\u06cc \u0648\u06cc\u0688\u06cc\u0648 \u062a\u06be\u06cc\u060c \u062c\u0648 \u0648\u0632\u0627\u0631\u062a\u0650 \u0627\u0637\u0644\u0627\u0639\u0627\u062a\u2026
\n\u2014 Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2026<\/p>\n

Fact-check status: Misleading<\/p>\n

Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows Shahid Afridi urging unconditional support for the government after the rise in fuel prices is\u00a0misleading. The video predates the recent rise in fuel prices, and the message is part of an austerity campaign with other celebrities promoting fuel-saving measures.<\/p>\n

————————<\/p>\n

This\u00a0fact check was\u00a0originally published\u00a0by iVerify Pakistan \u2014 a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Multiple users, most of whom appear to be PTI supporters, have been sharing a video on several social media platforms since Thursday, claiming it shows former cricketer Shahid Afridi urging unconditional support for the government following the recent surge in fuel prices. However, the video predates the price hike and is part of a government […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46191\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}