A viral claim on social media suggested that the Punjab administration approved a Rs4,00,00,000 “special grant” for personal makeup and presentation costs of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Information Minister Azma Bokhari, causing widespread confusion online.

The Punjab Government has officially dismissed the claim, calling the circulated notification fake, misleading, and digitally altered. Authorities confirmed that no such proposal was ever initiated or approved.

The provincial Information Department explained that the document fails basic official standards, including formatting, language, stamps, and record protocols, making it clear the image was manipulated.

Officials called it a coordinated attempt to mislead the public and unfairly target women leaders.

Information Minister Azma Bokhari condemned the viral document, calling it a deliberate attempt to harm government credibility. She also stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible for creating and spreading the false notification.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb responded, saying such propaganda will not distract the government from its reform and governance priorities.

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Cybercrime analysts noted signs of digital manipulation in the viral image, including inconsistent fonts, spacing errors, and structural flaws, all indicators of AI-assisted forgery a growing challenge in political misinformation in Pakistan.

Officials urged citizens to always verify sensitive claims through official government channels before sharing unverified content online.