Fact-check: Old Muharram security march falsely shared as VIP protocol for Lahore commissioner

A video circulating on social media is being shared as footage of an extraordinary VIP protocol movement for the commissioner of Lahore Division during a visit to Sheikhupura, drawing criticism over the alleged misuse of public resources.

The claim is false.

Claim

On June 15, a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared a video with the caption: "Listen to the voice of a citizen from Sheikhupura who has spoken what everyone feels. Not even a minister receives as much VIP protocol as these government bureaucrats and officials enjoy at taxpayers' expense."

In the video, the narrator, speaking in Punjabi, claims that the convoy belongs to the commissioner of Lahore Division during a visit to Sheikhupura. He sarcastically describes it as a "royal procession."

The footage shows a long line of official vehicles allegedly accompanying the commissioner.

At the time of writing, the post had garnered more than 23,500 views, 1,400 likes, and 894 reposts.

Similar claims have also been shared on Facebook and Instagram here and here.

Fact

The footage is not recent. It dates back to July 23, 2023, and shows a police flag march conducted in Sheikhupura as part of Muharram security arrangements.

Geo Fact Check traced the earliest available version of the footage to a Facebook post published on July 23, 2023. Although that post also incorrectly identified the convoy as a VIP protocol movement, it confirms that the video has been online since at least July 2023 and predates the current claim circulating on social media.

The original post can be viewed here.

Muhammad Younis, the public relations officer (PRO) of Sheikhupura police, confirmed to Geo Fact Check by phone that the video is from 2023 and depicts a police flag march conducted as part of Muharram security preparations in Sheikhupura.

"Such flag marches involve vehicles from multiple law-enforcement agencies and are conducted to demonstrate security preparedness during sensitive occasions," Younis said.

He rejected the claim that the convoy was linked to a divisional commissioner’s visit, noting that the number of vehicles visible in the footage far exceeds the protocol typically provided to a commissioner.

According to Younis, the convoy shown in the video is consistent with a security flag march rather than an official visit.

Verdict: The video does not show a VIP protocol convoy for the Lahore commissioner. It is old footage from July 2023 showing a police flag march conducted for Muharram security arrangements in Sheikhupura.

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