Viral PMO notification of PM Shehbaz’s hospitalisation

Rating Justification

The iVerify Pakistan team reviewed this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, the iVerify Pakistan analysed the notification critically and conducted a keyword search to corroborate it.

Posts by Indian accounts on social media platform X since April 28, 2025, shared an alleged confidential notification from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s hospitalisation since April 27. However, no such notification has been released by the PM Office and it is fake.

An attack took place in Pahalgam, a tourist hotspot in India-occupied Kashmir that draws thousands of visitors every summer, on April 22. Gunmen opened fire on visitors, killing at least 26 people — all men from across India except one from Nepal — and injuring 17 others. It was the region’s deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. A hitherto unknown group, named by several Indian outlets as ‘The Resistance Front’, is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.

India followed suit by announcing a series of actions against Pakistan. Responding in kind, Pakistan’s top brass also announced a series of measures, including the closure of its airspace to all India-owned or Indian-operated airlines with immediate effect.

As diplomatic channels dry up and treaty frameworks teeter, analysts warn that relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours may be approaching a dangerous tipping point, with limited space remaining for de-escalation.

HOW IT STARTED

On April 28, an Indian account on X shared a notification claiming that PM Shehbaz was hospitalised at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi.

The post of the caption said: “Big, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif hospitalised.”

The text of the alleged notification is reproduced below:

“Subject: Confidential — Hospitalisation of the honourable prime minister at CMH Rawalpindi.

It is hereby informed, in confidence, that the honourable prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was admitted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi on April 27, 2025, for medical evaluation and treatment related to a case of haemorrhoids.

The prime minister remains under the expert care of a specialised medical team at CMH. As of the latest update, his health condition is stable, and he is responding well to the prescribed course of treatment. The hospitalisation has been undertaken as a precautionary and standard medical measure advised by his attending physicians.

All concerned offices are advised to maintain strict confidentiality of this information. No disclosure to media or public forums is permitted unless officially authorised by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing or the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

This communication is issued with approval of the undersigned and is intended strictly for internal coordination among relevant departments.”

The document was signed off by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Asad Rehman Gilani.

The post garnered more than 171,000 views.

The same claim was also shared by other Indian accounts, as can be seen here and here with over 764,000 and 74,000 views, respectively.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality, keen public interest in the events unfolding between India and Pakistan in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack and the sensitivity of the matter as it directly involved the premier’s health.

The notification mentioned Asad Rehman Gilani as the principal secretary to the prime minister. However, a keyword search yielded a news report of leading English news outlet Dawn dated March 18, 2025, which confirmed that Gilani had already been transferred from the position and that the post had since been abolished.

An official at the PMO also told Dawn correspondent Sanaullah Khan that the viral notification was a fake.

Additionally, no media reports were found indicating any recent health concerns or issues about PM Shehbaz or his hospitalisation.

On the contrary, PM Shehbaz was actively involved in official duties, including attending the Council of Common Interests meeting on April 28 — the same day the fake notification began circulating on social media.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim regarding a notification from the PMO about PM Shehbaz’s hospitalisation at CMH Rawalpindi is false.

The viral notification is fake and the prime minister has been performing his duties as per normal.

Evidence and References

March 18, 2025, Dawn news story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1898604/pms-principal-secretary-asad-rehman-gilani-transferred

April 28, 2025, Dawn.com news story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1907108