Fake video case: Azma Bukhari, Falak Javed exchange heated words in courtroom

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf social media activist Falak Javed exchanged heated words in a Lahore courtroom on Wednesday during the hearing of a case concerning the alleged circulation of a fake video attributed to the provincial minister.

The confrontation took place at the Lahore District Courts, where Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo heard the case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Bukhari’s complaint.

Bukhari appeared before the court and recorded her statement, insisting that she was the complainant in the case and not an accused.

“I am not an accused; I am the complainant in this case,” Bukhari told the court, saying she had suffered because of the circulation of the fake video.

The minister said that the case was not an ordinary civil dispute but concerned the dignity and honour of a woman.

“I have suffered a lot. You cannot imagine the pain I have gone through,” she said.

Bukhari told the court that on the night of July 24-25, 2024, she was looking at social media at her home when she came across posts on Facebook and TikTok claiming that a video of her had been leaked.

She said she later opened her X account and saw a post from Falak Javed’s account, following which the alleged fake video was widely circulated on social media.

Bukhari said she went to the Lahore High Court the following day and had to wait for around four hours outside the chief justice’s courtroom before her petition was taken up.

She said that the high court accepted her plea and ordered action over the circulation of the material.

During Wednesday’s hearing, tensions rose when Bukhari and Falak Javed exchanged hot words inside the courtroom.

“Have some shame. You also have a daughter. You have just come from jail and there is still no remorse on your face,” Bukhari told Falak.

“Don’t teach me what statement I have to give. I am myself a lawyer,” she added.

Bukhari also called Falak a “liar” and told her to be ashamed of herself, while accusing her of inappropriate conduct.

Falak responded during the exchange, prompting the court to intervene.

At one point, Bukhari objected to the manner in which the accused was speaking in court and said, “Goons will not be allowed in the courtroom.”

She also questioned the treatment being given to the accused, saying that tea and coffee were being offered to her in court.

Bukhari later told the court that she had requested permission to record her evidence through video link because of security concerns and because she did not want a direct confrontation with the accused and her supporters.

“I don’t want us to be face-to-face here and for any unpleasant situation to occur,” she said.

The minister also expressed concern over the conduct of people accompanying the accused and requested that the court restrict the presence of non-relevant people and YouTubers during future proceedings.

The judge, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of treating women with respect.

“Respect for a woman is very important to us,” Magistrate Naeem Wattoo remarked, adding that the court’s judgments demonstrated how such cases were dealt with.

The judge also rejected any impression that the proceedings had been delayed by the court, saying delays had occurred because orders passed by the court had been challenged.

“We had passed an order and you challenged it. That is why there was a delay,” the judge said.

The court fixed September 12 for cross-examination of Bukhari on her statement and directed that only relevant lawyers attend the next hearing.

Case background

The case relates to a social media campaign in July 2024 involving a fake and objectionable video purportedly showing Bukhari.

The NCCIA later registered a case on Bukhari’s complaint. Several people were nominated in the case, including Falak Javed and Muhammad Shafique.

The trial has been progressing through the Lahore district courts, with the magistrate summoning prosecution witnesses earlier this year.

In March, the court directed the prosecution to produce its witnesses for recording of their statements.

Bukhari had initially sought permission to record her evidence through video link, citing security concerns and her responsibilities as a provincial minister.

The judicial magistrate rejected the request in February and directed her to appear in person.

The minister subsequently challenged the decision, but a Lahore sessions court in August upheld the requirement for her to appear personally.

The court observed that video-link testimony was an exception rather than an absolute right and that the accused’s right to cross-examine the complainant in person was an important component of a fair trial.

The Lahore High Court granted post-arrest bail to Falak Javed in the fake-video case in April 2026 against surety bonds of Rs1 million. The court also granted bail to co-suspect Muhammad Shafique.

The case has consequently moved into the evidence stage, with Bukhari now having recorded her statement and the court scheduling her cross-examination for September 12.