Pakistan Did Not Mute Jaishankar's SCO Speech

The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Islamabad has sparked a wave of controversy, particularly surrounding the speech delivered by India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. On October 16, during the opening ceremony of this significant international meeting, claims emerged on social media suggesting that Pakistan's state television, Pakistan Television (PTV), had deliberately muted Jaishankar's address. This allegation quickly gained traction, with many users asserting that the Pakistani government was attempting to censor the Indian minister's remarks.

However, a thorough investigation reveals that these claims are unfounded. In reality, none of the speeches, apart from that of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, were broadcast live during the opening ceremony. This means that Jaishankar's speech was not muted; it simply was not aired at all. The protocol for such events typically dictates that only the opening remarks are broadcasted, which explains why viewers did not hear from other heads of state or delegations.

Geo Fact Check conducted a review of the entire livestream available on PTV's official YouTube channel. The footage clearly indicates that only Prime Minister Sharif's speech was aired live, while the addresses of other dignitaries, including Jaishankar, were not included in the broadcast. This aligns with standard practices for international summits, where often only the host country's leader's remarks are highlighted.

The spread of misinformation regarding the muting of Jaishankar's speech raises important questions about the role of social media in shaping public perception. In an age where information travels at lightning speed, it is crucial for individuals to verify claims before sharing them. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for critical thinking and fact-checking in our digital interactions.

While the SCO summit was a platform for significant diplomatic discussions, the narrative surrounding the alleged muting of Jaishankar's speech appears to be a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate act of censorship. As global citizens, it is our responsibility to seek the truth and engage with information critically, ensuring that we contribute to a more informed society.