Qatar Airways rejects fake news claiming closure of airline offices in Pakistan

Qatar Airways issued a press release on January 8 clarifying that the airline has not shut down its offices in Pakistan after YouTuber Imran Riaz and many other accounts falsely claimed that the airline had closed their offices in Pakistan.

A digital news platform, Raftar, took to X (previously Twitter) on January 6 to post: “Qatar Airways has shut down all city offices in Pakistan. Local Call centre operations are also suspended. However flights continue to operate.”

Many Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporting accounts claimed similar false news, expressing disappointment in Pakistan’s political and economic situation. Many PTI-affiliated accounts shared a Siasat.pk news template as well alleging the closure of Qatar Airways offices in Pakistan.

YouTuber Imran Riaz also falsely claimed the same in his recent YouTube video on January 8, saying: “Qatar Airways has shut down their offices in Pakistan, and it seems big companies are leaving Pakistan every day.”

Qatar Airways' official X account posted a clarification on January 8: “QatarAirways flights to and from #Pakistan are operating as usual, and our offices remain open.  Recent published reports claiming that Qatar Airways has closed offices in Pakistan are incorrect. For assistance, please contact our dedicated customer care line +92 21 38790002.”

Social media user Dr Shama Junejo also took to X to write: “PTI accounts and websites again ran a heinous propaganda of Qatar Airways closing the operation in Pakistan. It is good that @qatarairways has clarified that their flight operations are running as usual, but they must take action against these fake news accounts and websites.”

Another social media user wrote: “PTI’s fake news factory now creating issues even for international airlines. FIA should take action against those who started this fake news.”

The digital platform, Raftar, that initially falsely claimed the news, replied to the Qatar Airways post, writing, “Our story clearly mentions closure of all “city” offices and we stand by our story. Secondly, the helpline has been made operational after our story. Thirdly we never mentioned any disruption of the flights. Best regards.”

Social media users expressed anger over the fake news with one user calling out the digital page Raftar for its post, writing: “Bull**. My family member contacted the Qatar Airways helpline a day before your factually wrong tweet. This city offices thing is also misleading.”