Thread by @misterzedpk

#OSINT #Disinformation #FactCheck #Pakistan

This thread uses OSINT findings to trace the origins of a campaign targeting Pakistani actress Mehar Bano and falsely accusing her of quoting religious sources to justify her support for homosexuality (contd)

The source of this controversy is apparently a YouTube video from 10th March posted by Osama bin Atiq, a journalist whose LinkedIn profile mentions association with Public News () (contd)

In the above video, Mehar Bano's segment (0:57-1:59) contains statements of support for homosexuality. However, Osama bin Atiq includes sarcastic clips in between to ridicule them. Nowhere in the segment did Mehar Bano name any religious figure, scripture or narration (contd)

It seems Osama was there to prove his own point. Further evidence of his biased attitude is a video on his personal Facebook account and page which tags Mehar Bano's account, enabling people to hurl abuses at her (fb.com/osama.b.jatt/p…) (contd)

On the same day (10th March) @ 5pm Pak Time, a website ‘Republic of Buzz’ published an article embedding Osama’s video. Contains a detailed ‘report’ by profile named ‘Ali Kez’ with a misleading/ fake headline against Mehar Bano (archive.ph/iIBcN) (contd)

Technical examination shows that actual URL of ‘Ali Kez’ belongs to one ‘Fahad Kahut’, misusing the photo of German writer/ author David Wagner that was originally published on DW’s website (archive.ph/TwtFq) (contd)

The website ‘Republic of Buzz’ was registered on 11 July 2018. Its primary email address rmgmedias[at]gmail[dot]com is mentioned on a Facebook page of the same name and another page of ‘Rip Media Group’ in Karachi. The latter page mentions the name ‘Fahad Kahut’ again (contd)

By now, we are aware of a common link ‘Fahad Kahut’ between ‘Republic of Buzz’ and ‘Rip Media Group (RMG)’ (contd)

The email address ‘mfahadkahut[at]gmail[dot]com’ leads to a Wix portfolio website of Malaysia-educated and Karachi-origin Fahad Kahut, a multiple award-winning filmmaker, content creator and documentary maker (mfahadkahut.wixsite.com/mysite-3) (contd)

The ‘About[dot]me’ page of Fahad Kahut includes his photo, with the proper filename for verification (archive.ph/xeyXd) (contd)

From here on, some of the prominent and influential accounts that amplified misleading and malicious content against Mehar Bano include:-

‘Pakistan Tribune’ (11th March @ 6pm Pak Time) (fb.com/paktribune.pk/…) (contd)

Facebook page ‘Karachi Times’ (11th March @ 6:52pm Pak Time) (fb.com/ThekarachiTime…) (contd)

Facebook page ‘Adil Ali TV’ (12th March @ 3:17pm Pak Time) operated by one ‘Raheel Tariq’ using email address ‘raheeltariq802[at]gmail[dot]com’ (fb.com/permalink.php?…) (contd)

Facebook page ‘My Home Islamabad’ (13th March @ 8:31am Pak Time) (fb.com/myhomeislamaba…) (contd)

Fahad Kahut’s online revenue through his website ‘Republic of Buzz’ comes through the following credentials:-

Google Analytics ID: UA-157342274-1

Google Adsense ID: pub-9665685443454916

(contd)

In conclusion: OSINT trail indicates that Osama bin Tariq’s video, coupled with inflammatory content posted in the username of Fahad Kahut alias ‘Ali Kez’ on Republic of Buzz incited public anger against Mehar Bano (contd)

While it is true that Mehar Bano expressed support for homosexuality, it is dangerously misleading to claim that she cited any religious doctrine in support of her views. Such dangerous tactics are life-threatening and constitute criminal offences (contd)

Mehar Bano’s legal team and/ or FIA Cyber Crime can contact me through DM for copies of open source evidence and other particulars of the elements involved in targeting her. I am not responsible for any statements made by her beyond the video in question (end)

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