ISLAMABAD: A viral social media video claiming Pakistan Air Force jets escorted an Iranian delegation has been thoroughly debunked as misleading old footage.
The clip has amassed millions of views across platforms with some posts reaching 1.5 million impressions alone.
Fact-check reports by ARY News and The Express Tribune confirm the footage originates from February 17 2019.
It actually depicts the ceremonial aerial protocol for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his official visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan Air Force formations of JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Falcon jets provided the escort as the royal aircraft entered Pakistani airspace.
The jets accompanied the plane until its safe landing at PAF Base Nur Khan in accordance with standard diplomatic protocol.
This was part of a high-profile two-day official visit by the Saudi Crown Prince.
The PAF press release from February 17 2019 explicitly documented the aerial salute involving these fighter jets.
Regional media investigations have traced the video's timestamps and visual markers to the 2019 event.
No connection exists between the footage and any recent Iranian delegation or current Islamabad diplomatic talks.
Pakistan is presently facilitating sensitive US-Iran ceasefire discussions following strikes on February 28 2026.
Yet the recirculated clip predates these developments by more than seven years.
The misrepresentation has fueled unnecessary speculation amid ongoing regional geopolitics.
Independent verifications using archival records and official statements leave no room for doubt.
PAF's JF-17 Thunder jets a joint Pakistan-China development project featured prominently in the formation.
The F-16 Falcons added precision and visual impact to the ceremonial escort.
Such protocols underscore Pakistan's longstanding tradition of extending aerial honors to visiting dignitaries.
The 2019 visit strengthened bilateral ties through economic and security cooperation agreements.
Social media users including PML-N supporters journalists and various regional accounts shared the clip with false captions.
Collective viewership across misleading posts has exceeded hundreds of thousands in recent days.
Experts warn that repurposing old military footage risks distorting public understanding of current events.
PAF maintains a robust record of similar escorts for heads of state from allied nations.
The true 2019 event highlighted Pakistan's reliable role as a regional partner in diplomacy.
Authorities emphasize the importance of source verification before sharing defense-related content online.
This case exemplifies the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age.
Fact-checking bodies continue to monitor and correct such deceptive narratives effectively.
The revelation reinforces the need for caution when interpreting viral military videos.
Pakistan Air Force operations remain professional and aligned with established protocols for all high-level visits.