Video of Imran Khan Crying with Red Eyes Is AI-Generated
Thai PBS Verify traced the source of the manipulated media to an account on X.
Thai PBS Verify found an X account sharing a video clip showing the Pakistani prime minister crying, accompanied by the following caption:
“#BREAKING This is the former president of Pakistan, Imran Khan, this great man is the most honorable and brave of all those known so far.
He threatened Trump right in the middle of the White House and literally told him that we created the nuclear bomb to defend ourselves with it, not to use it as decoration, this strong Muslim confronted American Zionism, but unfortunately the army of his country overthrew and betrayed him through a deal with American Zionism with the help of the CIA and the Mossad, and now he is in prison, has lost his sight and suffers from illnesses, unfortunately an honorable leader betrayed by the Pakistanis themselves.
#Israel_Is_Enemy_Of_The_Humanity”
The post had received 2,082,000 views, 4,300 reactions, and more than 2,300 reposts after being published on August 5, 2026.
What Are the Facts?
The video circulating on social media claims to show former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan crying while in custody. However, Thai PBS Verify found no evidence confirming that the incident actually occurred. The video is highly likely to have been generated or manipulated using AI technology.
Background checks show that Imran Khan is a prominent public figure in both sports and politics. He served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and did meet Donald Trump at the White House on July 22, 2019.
According to records of that meeting, the discussions focused on economic cooperation, security, and Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process. There was no reported incident involving Khan crying or confronting Trump in the manner described in the viral claim.
Imran Khan remains detained at Adiala Jail in Pakistan in connection with multiple legal cases. Although reports and rumors concerning his health and well-being periodically circulate online, most have not been independently verified and are often amplified through online sources lacking credible sourcing.
Checking the Account’s Transparency
Thai PBS Verify examined the transparency information of the X account and found that it was created in March 2025 and operated out of North America.
Did Imran Khan Actually Cry?
Thai PBS Verify analyzed the video using AI-detection tools, including Hive Moderation and AI Video Detector. The results indicated a high probability that the video had been generated using AI.
Results from AI Video Detector.
Results from Hive Moderation.
Who Is Imran Khan?
Imran Khan is the former prime minister of Pakistan and a prominent figure in both sports and politics. Born in 1952, he first gained international recognition as a world-class cricketer. He captained the Pakistan national team and led the country to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
After retiring from cricket, Khan entered politics and founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which has emphasized anti-corruption measures and national sovereignty.
He served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed from office following a no-confidence vote. He later faced multiple legal cases and was detained, becoming a highly influential and polarizing figure in Pakistani society, with a large base of supporters.
Did Imran Khan Really Meet Donald Trump?
Thai PBS Verify searched for the keywords “Trump and Prime Minister Khan of the Islamic” and found a White House archival record titled Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Khan of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Before Bilateral Meeting, dated July 22, 2019.
According to the record, Trump said that the United States and Pakistan had significant potential to expand cooperation, particularly in trade, the economy, counterterrorism, and security. He also said he wanted to strengthen economic relations with Pakistan, noting that bilateral trade was below its potential.
A major focus of the meeting was the war in Afghanistan. Trump said that the United States wanted to end the conflict and withdraw its military forces, while viewing Pakistan as capable of helping advance the peace process. He emphasized the need for a political solution rather than continued warfare.
Khan said that US-Pakistan relations had a long history of cooperation, particularly during the Soviet-Afghan War and the post-9/11 War on Terror. He expressed hope that his meeting with Trump would help establish a new relationship based on mutual trust between the two countries.
The two sides also discussed the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. Khan said that the United States, as a global superpower, could play a role in promoting peace in South Asia, while Trump expressed support for dialogue and efforts to reduce tensions in the region.
อิมราน ข่าน เป็นใคร ?
Imran Khan หรือ อิมราน ข่าน เป็นอดีตนายกรัฐมนตรีของปากีสถาน และเป็นบุคคลที่มีชื่อเสียงอย่างมากทั้งในวงการกีฬาและการเมือง เขาเกิดในปี 1952 และเริ่มเป็นที่รู้จักจากการเป็นนักคริกเก็ตระดับโลก โดยเคยเป็นกัปตันทีมชาติปากีสถานและพาทีมคว้าแชมป์ Cricket World Cup ในปี 1992 หลังจากเลิกเล่นกีฬา เขาหันเข้าสู่เส้นทางการเมืองและก่อตั้งพรรค Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) โดยมีจุดเด่นด้านการต่อต้านคอร์รัปชันและผลักดันความเป็นอิสระของประเทศ เขาดำรงตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรีระหว่างปี 2018 ถึง 2022 ก่อนจะถูกลงมติไม่ไว้วางใจให้พ้นจากตำแหน่ง ต่อมาเขาเผชิญกับคดีความหลายคดีและถูกควบคุมตัว ซึ่งทำให้เขากลายเป็นบุคคลสำคัญที่มีทั้งผู้สนับสนุนจำนวนมากและเป็นประเด็นถกเถียงในสังคมปากีสถานจนถึงปัจจุบัน
What Is Imran Khan’s Current Situation?
Imran Khan has been detained at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, since August 2023. This followed legal proceedings and convictions in several cases, including corruption, the handling of state gifts under the Toshakhana case, and a case involving official secrets.
Although some convictions have been overturned or resulted in bail, other pending cases have kept him in custody.
At various times, authorities have restricted visits by family members, lawyers, and party leaders, prompting supporters to continue calling for visitation rights and adequate medical care.
Online rumors about Khan’s health and alleged mistreatment in prison frequently resurface, particularly when political issues attract renewed attention. Some of these posts use manipulated media, such as adding filters that make his eyes appear swollen, red, or tearful. Such alterations are designed to evoke an emotional response and make the accompanying narrative appear more credible.
When users react to such content by liking, sharing, or commenting, platform algorithms can further increase its visibility. In addition, previously published media footage is sometimes recirculated to generate political pressure and attract international attention to human rights concerns and calls for Khan’s release.
What Is Imran Khan’s Current Situation?
Imran Khan has been detained at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, since August 2023. This followed legal proceedings and convictions in several cases, including corruption, the handling of state gifts under the Toshakhana case, and a case involving official secrets.
Although some convictions have been overturned or resulted in bail, other pending cases have kept him in custody.
At various times, authorities have restricted visits by family members, lawyers, and party leaders, prompting supporters to continue calling for visitation rights and adequate medical care.
Online rumors about Khan’s health and alleged mistreatment in prison frequently resurface, particularly when political issues attract renewed attention. Some of these posts use manipulated media, such as adding filters that make his eyes appear swollen, red, or tearful. Such alterations are designed to evoke an emotional response and make the accompanying narrative appear more credible.
When users react to such content by liking, sharing, or commenting, platform algorithms can further increase its visibility. In addition, previously published media footage is sometimes recirculated to generate political pressure and attract international attention to human rights concerns and calls for Khan’s release.
In November 2024, violent clashes broke out in Islamabad after thousands of Khan’s supporters defied city lockdown orders and marched to demand his release. Authorities used tear gas and rubber bullets to control the situation, and clashes between the two sides resulted in at least six deaths, including one civilian and five officers.
The Pakistani government condemned the protesters’ actions, describing them as extremist and alleging that live ammunition had been used against security forces. The protesters subsequently moved toward the city center and key government facilities, prompting authorities to reinforce security measures.
Khan had been imprisoned since August 2023 in connection with corruption charges, while his supporters maintained that the cases were politically motivated and intended to prevent his return to political power following his removal from office in 2022.
Verification Process
- Account Transparency Check:
Thai PBS Verify examined the X account’s transparency information and found that the account was created in March 2025 and operated out of North America. - AI Tool Analysis:
Thai PBS Verify analyzed the video using AI-detection tools, including Hive Moderation and AI Video Detector. The results indicated a high probability that the video had been generated using AI. - Keyword Verification:
A search using the keywords “Trump and Prime Minister Khan of the Islamic” led to a White House record titled Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Khan of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Before Bilateral Meeting, dated July 22, 2019. The record shows that the meeting covered economic cooperation, security, and Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process. The two sides also discussed their longstanding relationship and the Kashmir issue, emphasizing dialogue and efforts to reduce regional tensions.
Impact of Misinformation
- Public Misconception
Viewers may believe that the incident shown in the video actually occurred, leading to misunderstandings about international relations and creating negative perceptions of political leaders based on unfounded claims. - Impact on International Relations
False narratives involving national leaders can create unnecessary diplomatic tensions, including by provoking public anger or placing unwarranted pressure on governments. - Erosion of Media Trust
As false information spreads, people may lose trust in both news organizations and information generally, making it more difficult to distinguish fact from fabrication. - Increased Risk from AI Technology and Deepfakes
This case illustrates how AI can be used to create highly convincing fake videos that may be misused to distort political discourse or target individuals. - Social Polarization
Hostile or inflammatory claims, such as allegations of “threats,” can exploit emotional reactions such as anger and hatred, potentially deepening social divisions, particularly around political issues.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Verify the Source
Check whether the information comes from a credible source, such as a reputable news organization or an official government statement. Be particularly cautious with social media videos that have no clear source. - Do Not Believe It Immediately, Especially When the Content Is Inflammatory
Misinformation often relies on strong emotional reactions, such as anger or shock, to attract attention. If a claim appears extreme or implausible, treat it with skepticism until it can be verified. - Cross-Check Multiple Sources
Search for the same information across multiple sources. If a major event actually occurred, it is likely to have been reported by multiple reputable news organizations. - Watch for Signs of AI-Generated or Manipulated Media
Look for unusual facial expressions, lighting, audio, or movements that do not appear natural. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, fake videos can become increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic footage.
