Fact-check: Is US signing an agreement to use Pakistan’s airspace against Afghanistan?

ISLAMABAD: A doctored tweet regarding the US and Pakistan signing a formal agreement for use of the latter’s airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan has been circulating on social media.

The fake tweet states: “The Biden administration has told lawmakers that the US is nearing a formalised agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, sources say."

It gives an impression that the US and Pakistan are currently in talks regarding this matter. However, it is important to note that the screenshot being circulated does not have the date mentioned on it.

The story was originally published by CNN on October 23, 2021, which was also shared on their official Twitter handle with the time stamp and date mentioned and Pakistan Foreign Office had also responded to it at that time, stating that “no such understanding was in place between the two countries.”

Back in October 2021, the Foreign Office spokesperson had said: "No such understanding was in place." 

Moreover, in the fake screenshot, the original date has been removed on purpose to portray this as something recent.