The edited photo was circulated on X, as well as on Facebook here, here and here.
In the comments, some social media users were aware that the image had been edited, while others seemed to believe it was real.
“Congratulations @Jemima_Khan on your child’s Hajj,” one commenter wrote.
“May Allah accept their Hajj,” said another.
Pakistani media organisation Sok Fact Check had previously debunked these images (archive link).
A reverse Google image search revealed that the image of the two on the plane was taken from an Instagram post by Asim Riaz, a contestant on the popular Indian reality show Bigg Boss (archive links here and here).
Riaz posted this picture on March 24, 2023, in which he is seen sitting next to Aly Goni, who appeared in another season of the same reality show (archive link).
The post’s caption included a hashtag indicating the couple were traveling for a pilgrimage to Mecca, which can be done at any time of the year and, unlike the Hajj, is not obligatory for Muslims.
Below is a comparison screenshot of the first edited image (left) and the original photo. Riaz’s Instagram account (right):
Riaz posted various pictures from his Umrah pilgrimage on Instagram.
Indian media outlets Hindustan Times and ANI have reported on Riaz and Goni’s Umrah pilgrimage, planned for 2023 (archive links here and here).
Meanwhile, another edited photo shared on social media, appearing to show the brothers standing in front of the Kaaba, also originally featured reality TV star Riaz.
He posted the photo on Instagram on April 9, 2023, with the caption, “Alhamdulilha (Praise God) Umrah with my brother” (archive link).
An image of the Kaaba was digitally added to the photo.
Below are the edited images circulating online (left) and Original photo (right):
Imran Khan, who was convicted on corruption charges over gifts he received while prime minister, remains hugely popular in Pakistan despite not standing in the country’s general elections scheduled for April 2024.
His 14-year sentence was suspended, but the conviction remains in effect.
Pakistan’s High Court overturned his treason conviction in June, but he remains jailed for violating Islamic law by marrying his wife, Bushra Bibi, so soon after their divorce.
He claims the incidents were engineered to prevent him from returning to power.
AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation about Khan here, here and here.
