The misinformation originated from a Facebook post on October 24, where a user shared a graphic featuring Punjab’s Inspector General of Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, accompanied by the Urdu text: “Long live Punjab Police. Crack down on fake journalists.”

The post suggested that the police would start routinely checking journalists’ press cards and would file complaints against those not registered with a TV channel, newspaper, or press club.

Similar claims have also appeared in WhatsApp groups.

However, police officials and the Lahore Press Club have confirmed that no such announcement has been made.

The secretary of the Lahore Press Club, Zahid Abid, stated in a phone conversation with Geo Fact Check that they have not received any official information regarding this matter. “We do not believe there is any such policy in place either,” he added.

Waqas Nazir, the deputy inspector general of Punjab police, also told Geo Fact Check, “We have not issued any such advice.”

Additionally, the director of public relations at Punjab Police, Mubashir Hussain, labeled the online posts as “fake” news in a message to Geo Fact Check.

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On October 28, the Punjab Police further clarified the situation by posting a rebuttal on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “No such instruction has been issued by the police.”