Shahid Afridi Petrol Price Video Claim Misleading — Viral Clip Old, Not Related to Recent Hike
Published On 04 Apr, 2026
Claim
A viral video circulating on social media claims that former cricketer Shahid Afridi urged Pakistanis to support the government after the recent petrol price increase.
Fact Check Rating: MISLEADING
What Happened
After the government announced a significant increase in petrol and diesel prices, multiple social media users shared a video of Shahid Afridi. The video was presented as a recent statement supporting the government despite the price hike.
The clip quickly went viral across platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube, gaining hundreds of thousands of views.
Investigation & Findings
- A detailed analysis shows that the video is not recent.
- The clip was actually recorded before the latest petrol price increase.
- It was part of a government awareness campaign focused on fuel conservation during the energy crisis.
The video includes official branding from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, confirming its connection to a national campaign.
Additionally, similar videos featuring other celebrities were also released under the same initiative.
Key Evidence
- Reverse image search confirmed the video existed before the price hike announcement
- The clip was shared earlier in the context of energy-saving awareness
- Shahid Afridi himself clarified that:
- The video was old
- It was not related to the recent petrol price increase
- It was being misused to create a false narrative
Why This Matters
Misinformation spreads quickly during sensitive situations like fuel price hikes. Using old videos in a new context can:
- Mislead the public
- Create political confusion
- Damage reputations
More similar videos by other Pakistani celebrities, such as Punjabi folk singer Arif Lohar, actress Bushra Ansari, singer Waris Baig and several others in the same frame, ending with the same official graphic from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, for the austerity campaign, were found to be shared by the Instagram accounts.
Conclusion
The claim that Shahid Afridi supported the government after the latest petrol price increase is misleading.
The viral video is old and was part of a fuel conservation campaign, not a response to recent developments.
