Monitoring Desk: A former journalist of Pakistan Ahmed Noorani who is living in the United States published a story in “Fact Focus” that is a true example of how fairytales can be converted into news stories through cooking, fabricating, and manipulating facts.
The story targeting the family of Chief of Pakistan Army Gen Asim Munir also published photos of passports of family members of Gen Asim Munir that shows how dangerously privacy is compromised in Pakistan where anybody can access the personal and private data of anybody even the daughters of a sitting Chief of the Army. He claimed that the family of COAS enjoyed Diplomatic Passports this is contrary to the fact he also manipulated passport copies of family members of COAS and tried to make them “red” —-the colour of Diplomatic passports. Sundus Uzair and Khadija Asim both have official passports, not diplomatic ones. This is clear from the photos shared by Ahmad Noorani.
Ahmad Noorani was in possession of original good-quality photos. He used cropped photos and tinted them red to make a claim that passports are red.
Meanwhile, it also shows how a story can be prepared without having any credible information against anybody. The whole story is based on hearsay. This piece of lies should be taken seriously by those who believe in freedom of the press because such kinds of stories disgrace the profession of journalism. Media rights organizations should ask Ahmed Noorani what kind of journalism he is producing in which anybody can write anything against anybody without having any proof but can access private and personal documents/data such as passport photos.
Official circles have reasons to raise pertinent questions regarding the mysterious sustainability of Noorani who reportedly left Pakistan abruptly after his domestic case with his wife and her family and got educational opportunities in the United States instantly.
Official circles believe that Ahmed Noorani’s journalistic trajectory raises serious concerns regarding his motivations and the potential external influences shaping his work. His pattern of reporting demonstrates a targeted approach toward Pakistan’s Armed Forces, often using pretexts that appear strategically timed to destabilize national institutions. A thorough analysis of his publications from 2018 to 2022 reveals a recurring theme: regardless of the subject matter—be it corruption allegations, leaked audio recordings, or investigative reports—his ultimate target remains the military leadership. This pattern raises critical questions about his objectivity and intent.
Noorani’s 2020 report on alleged offshore properties linked to former Army Chief General Bajwa’s family exemplifies this approach. Published amidst an already polarized political climate, the report lacked solid documentary evidence and relied on speculative financial data, which was later challenged by independent analysts. This was not an isolated incident. His investigative work in 2022, which involved the leaked audio recordings of key political and military figures, again appeared to serve a broader agenda aimed at discrediting the military at a time when Pakistan was facing both internal instability and external threats.
Further examination of his reporting timeline shows an uncanny alignment with periods of heightened political tensions in Pakistan. His revelations frequently emerged during moments critical to the country’s security and governance. For example, in 2021, at a time when the military was negotiating crucial security arrangements, Noorani’s reports sought to erode trust in the institution by questioning its financial dealings and internal workings. Such patterns strongly suggest that his work is not merely independent journalism but rather part of a calculated effort to weaken the Armed Forces’ credibility.
A crucial aspect that warrants scrutiny is Noorani’s financial sustenance since relocating to the UK. Investigative journalism of the kind he claims to practice requires substantial resources, particularly when operating from abroad. Unlike mainstream journalists backed by well-established media houses, Noorani’s sources of income remain ambiguous. His affiliation with little-known organizations that receive international funding raises pertinent questions about potential foreign sponsorship. Given the nature of his reports and their apparent alignment with narratives hostile to Pakistan’s military, it is reasonable to explore whether he receives financial backing from entities with vested interests in destabilizing the country’s institutions.
“Considering these observations, it becomes imperative to view Noorani’s journalistic work with caution. The pattern of his reporting, the suspicious timing of his revelations, and the opacity surrounding his financial backing all contribute to a larger picture that suggests a concerted effort to malign Pakistan’s Armed Forces. While investigative journalism plays a vital role in holding power to account, Noorani’s work appears to go beyond legitimate scrutiny and into the realm of targeted disinformation. His continued publication of reports that systematically undermine the military’s leadership—without substantive evidence or balanced context—raises valid concerns about his true affiliations and objectives”, commented official circles.
Official circles claim that Ahmed Noorani was bribed by two persons living in the United States and the anti-Pakistan political party—PTI is behind the move.
Since the Army Chief General Asim Munir has a reputation of being the cleanest in the field, the story was woven around his relatives. According to the story, relatives of Gen Asim Munir namely Syed Baber Ali and his daughter Ms Syeda Hajira got favours due to their relations with Gen Asim Munir. Using the wildest imagination, the story claimed that the Prime Minister’s Office was behind nepotism and favors. The story also claimed that the writer got information from circles within the Ministry of Education and the PM Office. The scrutiny of the article does not leave any doubt that this article is nonsense and fabricated based on totally fictitious stories with no linkage at all with the facts.
Official circles claim that Ahmed Noorani got a bribe of $500 for this story from two US-based medical doctors, one working in the field of Internal Medicine and the other as a Pain Management Specialist. Both are part of PTI networking.
“Evidence towards this end has surfaced and WhatsApp has been retrieved which exhibits that the total value of this investigative journalist is USD 500/”, claimed official circles.
One responsible official of the government confirmed that a legal complaint has been launched against Noorani under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) without wasting any time. Likely, all those involved in the scam will soon be deported back, especially amidst President Trump’s zero tolerance for foreign agents who get involved in political activities.
“Noorani must not be let go by this time. He must be brought back to Pakistan through Interpol and put on the mat. If not dealt with seriously, the crook will be playing with the lives and honors of others in the future. Can PTI dive any further lower to target the national security of Pakistan while hurling total hoaxes and baseless allegations against defenders of low? How disgusting that when failing in all its heinous tactics, the party has started targeting the personal life of honorable citizens who care more for their dignity and respect than anything else”, commented a senior journalist Jabbar Chaudhary who raised several serious and pertinent questions about the past of Ahmed Noorani and did a vlog on his previous fake stories. Jabbar stated that Noorani’s past is full of fake news, and fraud to his friends and even with his wife. Jabbar in the past also did a dissection of stories of Noorani who were found fake and fabricated.
