Viral news graphic about Punjab government’s e-taxi project to be called ‘Maryam Taxi’

Rating Justification

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

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a reverse image search to find news reports from credible media outlets and analysed the viral image using fake image detection tools.

Posts from multiple users on social media platforms since May 30, 2025, were circulating a news graphic from media outlet Pakistan Observer with the claim that the Punjab government has decided to name its e-taxi project ‘Maryam taxi’. However, the viral image is fake.

The Punjab government formally launched the first electric bus service in Lahore in February 2025, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directing the authorities concerned to consider the prospects of assembling an e-taxi in Punjab along with the steps to establish electric charging stations in collaboration with the private sector.

In May 2025, the provincial government approved a pilot phase of over 1,000 electric taxis and solar-powered charging stations under the Yellow Line mass transit system.

HOW IT STARTED

On May 30, an X user, who appeared to be a PTI supporter based on their past posts, posted an image of an alleged news graphic from media outlet Pakistan Observer, featuring an announcement that the Punjab government is set to launch an electric taxi service in Lahore.

According to the image, the service will reportedly be named ‘Maryam Taxi’, in reference to CM Maryam.

The post was viewed by nearly 900,000 people.

The post was also shared by PTI leaders Moonis Elahi and Intazar Hussain Panjhuta, though the latter deleted his post.

The same claim was widely shared across social media platforms, including here, here, here, here, here and here, and on Facebook here, here, here, here and here.

The same claim was also circulated in the form of an alleged news graphic bearing the ARY News logo in the bottom right corner here.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in CM Maryam’s actions.

Analysis of the video using tools to detect manipulation showed that Fake Image Detector flagged the image as computer-generated or modified, while Forensically and FotoForensics indicated possible digital manipulation.

Their Error Level Analysis revealed inconsistent compression levels around the headline text and the photo of CM Maryam, suggesting that these elements were likely added later.

Comparing the alleged news graphic with authentic posts from Pakistan Observer‘s official Facebook page yielded inconclusive results, as the outlet appears to use varying fonts across different news graphics.

However, the media outlet shared a rebuttal on its official page, denouncing the “misuse of [their] name and logo”.

In a statement, it said: “Pakistan Observer strongly condemns the circulation of fake posts falsely associated with our name and logo. We are taking this matter seriously — legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading misinformation. Stay alert, verify facts, and help us stop the spread of fake news.”

The original Facebook post was made by the outlet on November 29, 2024.

A keyword search yielded no news reports from credible media outlets about the e-taxi scheme being called ‘Maryam Taxi’.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim about a viral news graphic reporting that the Punjab government’s announced e-taxi project is named ‘Maryam taxi’ is false.

The viral news graphic is a fake and no such development has been reported by credible news outlets.

Evidence and References

May 30, 2025, Pakistan Observer Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ax7irDZBS/

May 30, 2025, Pakistan Observer statement:
https://pakobserver.net/fake-news-alert-pakistan-observer-logo-misused-in-propaganda-posts-targeting-e-taxi-scheme/

Novembr 29, 2024, Pakistan Observer Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/pakobserver/posts/the-punjab-government-is-introducing-an-e-taxi-service-to-combat-rising-air-poll/1143419134459860/