KARACHI: The Sindh government has issued an urgent alert about a fake security alert in the province. The government officials dismissed the authenticity of a fake WhatsApp message that claimed a “high-level security alert” in Karachi from November 12 to 30. The Sindh government explained that no such alert had been issued by the provincial government, and the social media alert was fake.
Fake Alert Circulates After Islamabad Suicide Attack
The bogus message appeared a day after a suicide attack outside Islamabad’s district and sessions court in the G-11 area. It falsely stated that the Sindh government, citing “verified intelligence reports,” had imposed a high-security status across Karachi. The message also listed high-risk locations such as Dolmen Mall, Empress Market, Jinnah International Airport, and several educational institutions.
It further advised the public to avoid these areas and included fabricated safety protocols involving metal detectors, walkthrough gates, and the reporting of suspicious vehicles.
Sindh Home Department Issues Clarification
The Sindh Home Department issued a formal statement rejecting the alert as fake. It confirmed that no directive had been released under the reference number HD/Sec/Clarification-11/2025 mentioned in the message.
“No official communication with this title or reference number has been issued by this department or any law enforcement agency under its control,” the statement clarified.
The department stressed that official security notifications are shared only through authorized government channels or law enforcement agencies. It urged citizens and media outlets to avoid spreading unverified information and to confirm updates directly from official sources.
Misuse of Official’s Name Condemned
The fake alert falsely carried the name of Sindh Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Syed Kaleem Imam, warning that failure to comply with the so-called instructions could result in legal action under the Sindh Security of Vulnerable Establishments Act 2024 and the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Authorities have condemned the misuse of official names and warned that legal proceedings may be initiated against those responsible for spreading false information.
Section 144 Extended in Sindh
Separately, the Sindh Home Department announced that the ban on public gatherings under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been extended for another month, effective November 12.
Section 144 empowers the local administration to restrict gatherings of four or more people to maintain public order. The restriction, first imposed on October 12, aims to preserve peace and prevent disturbances across the province.
