Published On 16/10/2025
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Last update: 11:50 (Mecca time)
A video clip widely circulated on social media platforms sparked controversy in Pakistan, after its publishers claimed that it documented the moment when the Prime Minister of the Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was assaulted and her clothes were torn off by a group of citizens during a recent field visit.
The video’s publishers claimed that the incident occurred recently, and that it reflects popular anger at the performance of the Pakistani government and army, while others described the scene as “an unprecedented insult to a high-ranking government official.”
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The clip was widely circulated inside and outside Pakistan, accompanied by multiple comments that addressed the circumstances of the alleged incident and its political connotations, amid questions about the truth of the video, its timing, and its original source.
The widespread narrative
On October 15, the alleged video began circulating, and its publishers claimed that it was a recent scene documenting the Prime Minister of the Pakistani Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, being physically assaulted and having her clothes torn off by a group of citizens during a field visit.
🚨Maryam Nawaz clothes torn by Pakistani Islamists pic.twitter.com/IncTlVZMQU
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) October 15, 2025
The video achieved wide spread across the platforms “X”, “Facebook” and “Tik Tok”, and was published under various titles, including “Pakistani leader Maryam Nawaz receives a slap on the shoulder from demonstrators amid chants against the government and the Pakistani army.”
Big Breaking
Pakistani leader Maryam Nawaz slapped on shoulder by protestors amidst sloganeering against Pak govt/armypic.twitter.com/HO0jYFEHSr
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) October 15, 2025
Users also shared comments claiming that Maryam Nawaz is the woman shown in the clip, and that the incident expresses “popular anger against the ruling class.” One of them wrote, “The woman whose clothes were being torn is Maryam Nawaz… Pakistan is burning with the fire she lit.”
The Pakistani woman whose clothes are being torn is Maryam Nawaz, who is not only the Chief Minister of Punjab but also the niece of PM Shehbaz Sharif.🥶
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is burning in the fire it has ignited 🔥#Pakistan #PakistanArmy
pic.twitter.com/toZNDytjVW—Harry kamad (@Harrykamad264) October 15, 2025
These posts received millions of views within a few hours, turning into one of the most circulated clips in Pakistan during the week, with the absence of any official or media confirmation regarding the incident.
The truth of the widespread narrative
The Al Jazeera Verification team conducted a reverse search into the authenticity of the circulating video and found that it was old and published in 2020 on YouTube and other platforms and not as recent as it is being circulated.
And with review Pakistani media reports Issued at the time, it emerged that the incident took place in front of the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday, when a limited number of PML-N supporters tried to approach Maryam Nawaz as she entered the court, leading to chaos and a stampede.
The video clip showed Maryam receiving an unintended blow to her shoulder from a member of her bodyguard, who was trying to control the crowd and push the crowd back, and his fist accidentally hit her shoulder.
In the clip, Maryam appeared to be screaming in pain and clutching her shoulder, while her husband quickly moved those present away from her and calmed her down, while the voices of the crowd were heard repeating, “Move back” to restore order.
It is noteworthy that Maryam is a Pakistani politician, born in 1973. She is the daughter of Nawaz Sharif, the famous Pakistani politician, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif’s wing) and the Pakistani Prime Minister for 3 terms. She was elected in early 2024 as Prime Minister of the Punjab province, and she is the first regional Prime Minister in the history of Pakistan.