A government notification claiming the Punjab administration approved a Rs. 4 crore “special grant” for the personal makeup and presentation expenses of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari has gone viral online, triggering outrage and confusion on social media.
The circulating document alleges the funds were sanctioned specifically for the ministers’ personal grooming and appearance. However, the Punjab government has now rejected the claim outright, saying the notification is forged, baseless, and digitally altered.
In an official clarification, the provincial Information Department said no such summary was ever moved or approved. It added that the viral document does not match the government’s official style, format, stamp, or record-keeping system, calling it a clear case of manipulation.
Government officials suggested the fake notification is part of a targeted misinformation drive, aimed at deceiving the public and maligning women ministers. They urged citizens to verify such claims through official government channels rather than relying on unverified posts.
Information Minister Azma Bokhari condemned the forged document, calling it a “shameful attempt” to damage the government’s credibility. She said the administration will initiate legal action against those involved in creating and spreading the fake notification.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also responded, saying propaganda campaigns would not distract the government from its governance and reform agenda.
Meanwhile, cybercrime observers noted that the image carries multiple signs of digital tampering, including irregular font choices, spacing issues, and structural inconsistencies, features often linked to AI-assisted edits, a tactic increasingly used in political misinformation campaigns in Pakistan.
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