Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has faced widespread criticism after quoting a fake image in Parliament that falsely claimed praise for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from the UK’s Daily Telegraph.

During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Dar lauded the PAF’s performance, citing an AI-generated image circulating on social media. He quoted the fake headline, “Pakistan Airforce is the undisputed king of the skies,” attributing it to The Telegraph, drawing applause from lawmakers.

However, it was quickly revealed that the image was fabricated. Pakistani journalists and social media users who initially shared the image later acknowledged it was fake.

This is not the first time Pakistani officials have relied on unverified online content. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif previously cited social media posts to claim that five Indian fighter jets were shot down. When questioned on CNN about evidence, he replied, “The proof is all over social media.”

Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at PAF Base Kamra, claimed that six Indian jets, including Rafales and Mirages, had been downed—an assertion still lacking verified proof.

No official clarification has been issued by Dar regarding his parliamentary remarks.