Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Ishaq Dar recently stated that “Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a deterrent for Pakistan’s security”. His statement comes in response to false claims circulating online, suggesting that Pakistan would launch a nuclear attack on Israel if further Israeli strikes were carried out on Iran.

 

Appearing on a private media outlet on Monday, FM Dar categorically dismissed the claim that Pakistan would carry out a nuclear attack on Israel if Iran were attacked again.

 

“It is our stated policy since May 28, 1998, that the nuclear programme is deterrent for Pakistan’s security,” he said.

 

Dar stated that although Pakistan is not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it abides by its principles, which restrict the member countries from proliferating nuclear weapons. “We have not signed the NPT because our position has always been that we would consider doing it if India signs it,” Dar said.

 

“God forbid, nuclear war happens,” the deputy PM said, adding that if war happens, then its effects will not be limited to one or two countries, but the whole world.

 

On Pakistan’s diplomatic effort to ease the tension in the Middle East following the illegitimate Israeli attack in Iran, he said, “We have talked to several Muslim countries” to push for de-escalation of the conflict.

 

Referring to the recently viral video of U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he allegedly claimed that "Pakistan will totally destroy Israel" if it attacks Iran again, Deputy Prime Minister Dar called it "a lie and fake."

 

In the AI-generated fake clip, the U.S. President appears to claim that Pakistan had also threatened to attack the United States, in addition to Israel.

 
In the altered clip, President Trump adds: “Pakistan has also warned Israel and the US, because Israel has mistakenly said that Pakistan is number 2 after Iran [in its hit list]. Pakistan is fully alert with its air, land, and marine forces. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said if Israel attacks Iran again, Pakistan will totally destroy Israel. When I say Pakistan should not do that, Pakistan has no problem with us; their army is already on very high alert.

 
In my opinion, Pakistan should not get involved. This is Israel and Iran’s war. We need peace in the region, we need to stop the fighting, not get in the middle that’s a truth that is the smart move (sic)”

 

Upon close examination, using the InVID Verification Plug-in tool, The Current noticed visual distortions and noticeable lip-sync issues around Trump’s mouth, indicating possible cloning.