Fake Twitter accounts leave Pak embarrassed

At a time when Pakistan is facing global scrutiny given its involvement in various acts of terrorism, the establishment in Islamabad is confronting an unlikely challenge courtesy some fake Twitter handles.

Some fake Twitter handles are creating confusion in the global arena and putting a question mark on Pakistan's credibility as a nation.

The comments on these fake Twitter handles have left the establishment in Islamabad red-faced.

The handle claiming to be that of the country's ambassador to the US, @PakinUSA, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has even forced the real account, @PakEmbassyDC, to issue a clarification.

"Please note that Pak Embassy US @pakinus is a fake account & not affiliated with Pak Embassy, Washington DC. Info is not authentic @JalilJilani," the Pakistan Embassy, DC handle tweeted.

"Some fake accunts are impersonating the Embassy of Pak& Amb @JalilJilani by spreading baseless info-matter has been taken up wid Twitter Adm," it added.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi yesterday tweeted, "I request @FBI & @twitter to reactivate Twitter account of Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC - - - >> @PakInUSA."

Pakistan Embassy, DC seems to be also receiving messages from another fake account @aziz_sartajpk, which claims to be that of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

This comes at a time when the world is expecting an answer from Pakistan about Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the Ohio State University attacker, said to be inspired by the terrorist propaganda of the ISIS.

Pakistan is making a complete fool of itself in the global arena courtesy its silence on this issue.

Unlike Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup and India's permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin who have verified twitter accounts, Ambassador of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani does not have one and this is garnering all criticisms and creating confusion.

ISPR Director General Asim Bajwa had earlier on November 27 said that COAS designate General Qamar Bajwa had no presence on social media, adding all social media accounts in his name were fake.

"#COAS designate Gen Qamar Bajwa has zero presence on social media. All facebook/twitter & other SM platforms ids & accounts on his name are fake," he said in a comment posted on Twitter.

After the government announced its decision to appoint General Bajwa as the new army chief, a number of accounts emerged on Facebook and Twitter in his name.