imran ashraf breaks
| |

Imran Ashraf breaks silence on AI death hoax

Pakistani actor Imran Ashraf has reassured his fans that he is alive and in good health after fake, AI-generated videos claiming that he had died began circulating on social media.

Ashraf addressed the rumours through an Instagram story, making it clear that reports of his death were completely false. He said he was “absolutely fine” and remained alive, while also asking his followers to remember him in their prayers.

The clarification came after several manipulated videos appeared online showing seemingly authentic clips of journalists and celebrities announcing that the actor had died. The fabricated reports reportedly claimed that Ashraf had suffered a heart attack.

One TikTok account shared multiple AI-generated videos featuring digitally recreated versions of well-known personalities, including actor Bilal Abbas, former cricketer Shahid Afridi and journalist Mansoor Ali Khan. Another fabricated video even appeared to depict a funeral for the popular television host and actor.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing problem of artificial intelligence being used to create convincing but completely false celebrity news. Such videos can quickly spread across social media before users have an opportunity to verify their authenticity.

Ashraf is also not the first Pakistani celebrity to become the target of false death reports. Singer Tahira Syed faced a similar situation in June when rumours of her death circulated online. She later posted a video confirming that she was alive and well and urged people to verify information before sharing it.

Actor Tauseeq Haider also became the subject of AI-generated misinformation when fabricated images circulated claiming that he had married actor Farah Saadia. The two actors jointly rejected the claim and humorously said they were still happily single, while asking the creators to send them wedding gifts if they were going to continue the story.

The spread of such fabricated content has raised concerns about the misuse of AI tools to imitate real people and create misleading narratives. With digitally generated videos becoming increasingly realistic, celebrities and public figures are facing greater difficulty in controlling false information about themselves.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Modi proposes fast-track courts to quell rising ‘cockroach’ youth protests

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to establish fast-track courts to swiftly punish officials involved in examination paper leaks, attempting to contain a widespread youth-led protest movement that has rocked New Delhi and disrupted Parliament. Posting on X in his first public remarks on the crisis, Modi declared that “those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared”. The satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP), coined after India’s top judge reportedly likened unemployed youths to “cockroaches”, promptly rejected Modi’s proposal as a superficial “Band-aid” measure. The CJP continues to demand  educational reforms and the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has faced intense pressure following 152 recorded paper leaks over the past decade. The movement has escalated rapidly across India, drawing tens of thousands of demonstrators to New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and prompting solidarity marches in cities including Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Opposition parties, led by Rahul Gandhi, have forced shutdowns in Parliament while demanding that Modi apologise and dismiss Pradhan, as government officials accuse the opposition of exploiting student grievances for political leverage.

  • | |

    Belgium’s largest wildfire in decades double…

    A wildfire officials describe as the largest in Belgium’s recent history more than doubled in size within 24 hours, local authorities said Sunday, as hundreds of firefighters entered a third day battling flames tearing through the country’s largest nature reserve. The blaze has forced the evacuation of two villages near Hautes Fagnes, a protected reserve close to Belgium’s eastern border with Germany. Local farmers have hauled water tankers toward the park to assist firefighting crews, while water bombing aircraft and helicopters sent from Sweden and the Netherlands have joined the effort from the air. The Belgian fire is one of several burning across Europe this weekend. At least two people died in forest fires on a Greek island off the coast of Athens on Sunday, part of a broader pattern of blazes spreading across the continent. Belgian officials said intense heat combined with the reserve’s difficult terrain, a mix of bog like wetlands, moorland and forest, has made the fire especially hard to contain. According to figures reported by a French news agency citing local officials, the fire grew from 80 hectares, or about 200 acres, on Friday to 850 hectares by Saturday morning, before expanding further to 3,000 hectares by early Sunday. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said two fronts of the fire, one advancing toward Jalhay and the other toward Monschau, have now been brought under control. Authorities said conditions remain difficult overall and that they continue to rely heavily on aerial support to bring the fire under control, though no homes have been damaged so far. Two water bombing aircraft arrived from Sweden on Sunday afternoon to reinforce four helicopters, two Belgian and two Dutch, already working the fire. Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesman for regional authorities in Wallonia, said Saturday that the blaze ranks as the largest the country has seen in recent history. He said firefighters have allowed portions of the heathland to burn because those areas are extremely difficult to reach. Rescue teams have been unable to access the location where the fire started, leaving its cause unknown for now. Additional forest fires have broken out in Croatia, Spain and Serbia since Friday, following a summer of extreme heat that has left large parts of Europe either burning or scorched brown. In southwestern France, local officials in the Landes region said a separate wildfire forced the evacuation of 650 residents on Saturday. That fire first broke out Thursday and reignited Saturday, prompting authorities to deploy more than 500 firefighters to bring it under control. The EU’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus, has confirmed that western Europe just experienced its hottest June to July period on record, a finding that aligns with the wave of wildfires now spreading across multiple countries on the continent.

  • |

    US Department of Defence orders swift ramp-up in weapons manufacturing as conflict with Iran strains stockpiles

    The United States Department of Defence has called on defence contractors to accelerate weapons production amidst growing anxiety over dwindling military stockpiles as hostilities with Iran persist. Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg issued a formal directive on Wednesday, setting a 21-day deadline for defence industry leaders to deliver proposals aimed at driving significantly faster delivery timelines and boosting output for critical capabilities. The directive was initially revealed by The Washington Post following heightened scrutiny regarding the condition of US weapons reserves during the ongoing conflict. Spokesperson for the Department of Defence Sean Parnell verified the authenticity of the directive, noting that the submissions will directly shape the Pentagon’s budget request for fiscal year 2028. “The August 5 memo is real,” Parnell stated. “It will inform the fiscal year 2028 budget submitted to Congress for funding, and it is entirely consistent with our ongoing push to rebuild the defence industrial base.” Parnell added that direct engagement with weapons manufacturers is routine practice, defending the administration’s aggressive measures to expedite procurement schedules. He detailed that Feinberg is actively working to overhaul what he characterized as a broken, outdated, and overly intricate procurement framework, ensuring the military retains the capability to produce equipment at a pace that matches modern threat levels.

  • | |

    Internet slams Naeem Hanif over remarks on Mohammad Ahmed.

    Journalist Naeem Hanif has come under fire on social media after commenting on veteran actor and writer Syed Mohammad Ahmed’s recent claims of being mistreated by younger actors on a drama set. His remarks sparked widespread criticism, with many internet users accusing him of being disrespectful toward a senior artist. Syed Mohammad Ahmed recently revealed that he had faced inappropriate behaviour from younger actors during a shoot. In his interview, he named actors Fahad Sheikh, Faizan Sheikh, and Jenan Hussain, saying they repeatedly made fun of him and crossed professional boundaries on set. The veteran actor’s statements received overwhelming support from fans and fellow celebrities, many of whom praised him for speaking openly about the issue. Ahmed later clarified that he had not intended for the interview to be uploaded publicly. However, once the video surfaced online, it quickly went viral, bringing the alleged incident into the spotlight and triggering a wider conversation about respect for senior artists in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Reacting to the controversy, Naeem Hanif argued that Syed Mohammad Ahmed had exaggerated the situation. According to Hanif, actors on drama sets often joke with one another, and the incident should not have been presented as a major issue. During his analysis, Hanif said, “Muhammad Ahmed, before you make such a big thing, understand where you are. You are not a lecturer. You are not teaching an Islamiat lecture in a university that you got so offended by someone making fun of you.” He further added, “What is your venue where this all happened? You are doing a drama. You are doing acting. You are in showbiz.” His comments quickly drew backlash online, with many social media users saying his remarks were insensitive and failed to acknowledge the importance of treating senior colleagues with dignity and respect, regardless of the workplace. One user criticised Hanif for disrespecting an elder, saying it was shameful for someone calling himself a journalist to speak in such a manner about a veteran artist. The commenter also questioned his credibility as a journalist. Another social media user accused Hanif of having double standards. The commenter argued that if he believed interactions with unrelated women in the media were inappropriate, he should also reflect on his own work in television and digital media. The user questioned why he was preaching morality while continuing to benefit from the same industry. Many others echoed similar views, stating that professionalism should never be compromised and that no one, especially a senior actor with decades of experience, deserves to be ridiculed on a professional set. The debate continues online, with a large number of fans standing by Syed Mohammad Ahmed and maintaining that respect for senior artists should remain a fundamental value within the entertainment industry.

  • |

    Stephen Mangan compares acting craft to playing chess

    Stephen Mangan has opened up about how he continues sharpening his acting skills after years in the industry. The British actor shared his approach in a recent chat with Candis magazine. Known for stepping across acting, comedy and presenting, Mangan expressed genuine happiness with the variety his career has offered. He’s currently linked to “The Truth” on the West End stage. He said he feels genuinely delighted to stay busy with work that actually interests him. According to Mangan, variety has always been the spice of life for him professionally. Reflecting on his career path, Mangan joked that his younger self, a law student at the time, would have been amazed by how things eventually turned out. He seemed genuinely surprised by his own journey into entertainment. When asked about his secret to improving as an actor, Mangan offered an unexpected comparison. He explained that becoming a better chess player requires playing against someone stronger than you. He said the same principle applies directly to acting. According to Mangan, working alongside talented collaborators has consistently pushed him to grow, something he considers himself fortunate to have experienced throughout his career. Looking ahead, Mangan revealed he is eager to explore more stage work and potentially even musical theatre. He admitted there are several plays he’d love to take on in the future. However, he remained cautious about tackling a musical, joking that despite being able to sing in tune, pulling one off convincingly still feels like a tall order. Still, he added that he’d never rule it out completely. Mangan also revealed a longtime creative ambition of his own. He said he would like to eventually write his own play and already has an idea in mind for it. Beyond acting, Mangan has built a diverse presenting career, hosting shows like “Portrait Artist of the Year” and “Landscape Artist of the Year.” His acting credits include beloved comedy-dramas such as “Green Wing,” “Episodes” and “The Split,” cementing his reputation as one of British television’s most versatile performers.

  • |

    North Korea warns US nuclear strategy could trigger arms race

    PYONGYANG: North Korea has warned that a new nuclear strategy being considered by the United States could trigger a fresh global arms race and increase the risk of nuclear conflict. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticised the proposed US nuclear policy and accused Washington of using nuclear weapons for strategic dominance and political and military objectives. The spokesperson described the reported US strategy as a serious and dangerous development. North Korea said the policy could undermine the existing nuclear balance and accelerate the development and deployment of nuclear weapons around the world. According to the North Korean statement, continued expansion of nuclear capabilities could push the international security environment closer to the threshold of nuclear war. However, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said on Thursday that he did not expect any major or fundamental changes in the nuclear strategy currently under consideration. North Korea also criticised planned joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. It warned that it would exercise what it described as its right to self-defence in response to what it considers hostile military activities. A statement carried by North Korean state media said Pyongyang would not tolerate what it described as an increasingly confrontational situation created by hostile states. The United States and South Korea are scheduled to begin their joint military exercises on August 17. The drills are expected to continue until August 27. The exercises are also expected to take into account possible lessons from North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly its military experience and battlefield capabilities. The latest warnings came after North Korea conducted its second missile test in less than a week. On Wednesday, Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile from its eastern coast towards the sea. Six days earlier, it had conducted another test involving a short-range missile. North Korea’s latest military activity comes amid continued tensions with Washington and Seoul. Diplomatic efforts to restart talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. According to reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has largely rejected recent calls for renewed diplomatic engagement with the United States and South Korea. Since the collapse of diplomatic efforts involving former US President Donald Trump in 2019, Kim has instead focused on strengthening North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Analysts believe Pyongyang could eventually use its expanding nuclear capabilities as leverage to seek concessions from Washington. These could include relief from international sanctions and other measures imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *