Australian authorities have confirmed that visas for Pakistani citizens remain unaffected, dismissing viral social media claims of a suspension following the Sydney beach attack as false and AI-generated misinformation.
The confusion started when a fake, AI-generated video falsely attributed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese surfaced.
Viral claim sparks panic among Pakistanis
Social media platforms in Pakistan were flooded with alarming claims suggesting Australia had suspended all visas for Pakistani citizens after the recent Sydney beach shooting. The claims were linked to a short viral video allegedly featuring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The six-second clip, widely shared on Facebook and X, falsely shows the prime minister announcing an immediate halt to visa services for Pakistanis, citing the arrest of a “Pakistani-origin terrorist” named Naveed Akram.
Origin of the fake video
Fact-checkers traced the video’s first upload to December 15, 2025, by a social media user based in India. Within hours, it spread rapidly, causing anxiety among Pakistani students, workers, and families awaiting Australian visas.
Independent digital analysis has confirmed the clip was generated using artificial intelligence and does not reflect any official Australian position.
PM Albanese Video Is AI-Manipulated
Fact-checking investigations confirmed that the video’s audio was manipulated using artificial intelligence. The original footage is from a press conference dated August 3, 2022, nearly three years before the Bondi Beach attack.
During the full 15-minute briefing, Prime Minister Albanese discussed climate change policies, with no mention of terrorism, Pakistan, or visa restrictions. No credible Australian or international media outlet reported any such announcement following the attack.
A deepfake detection tool, Hiya, rated the video’s audio authenticity 1 out of 100, strongly indicating AI-generated manipulation.
Another video circulating online allegedly showed Pakistanis celebrating the Bondi Beach attack. This claim was also found to be false.
The footage predates the attack and has been available online since 2023, long before the Bondi incident occurred. The clip was shared by multiple users last year in an unrelated context and was later falsely linked to the attack.
Also Read: Fact Check: Video targeting Pakistan Army exposed as AI-generated content
ऑस्ट्रेलिया के प्रधानमंत्री ने पाकिस्तानी इस्लामिक आतंकवादी द्वारा हमले के बाद सभी पाकिस्तानियों का वीज़ा रद्द करने का फ़ैसला लिया है। पूरी दुनिया इस कौम से परेशान है, और भारत में कहा जाता है कि अब्दुल हिंदुओं के मोहल्ले में घर क्यों नहीं ख़रीद सकता।@KarishmaAziz_ @azizkavish… pic.twitter.com/PMkHLKFfGO
— 𝙼𝚛 𝚃𝚢𝚊𝚐𝚒 (@mktyaggi) December 14, 2025
What Australian authorities actually said
The Australian Department of Home Affairs categorically denied the claims, telling AFP on December 19 that there have been no changes to visa services or applications for Pakistani nationals.
Officials clarified that:
- No blanket visa ban has been imposed on Pakistan.
- No official statement or policy targets Pakistani citizens.
- Prime Minister Albanese never identified the attackers as Pakistani nationals.
Facts about the Sydney Beach attack
Australian authorities confirmed that:
- Naveed Akram, injured during the attack, is an Australian citizen.
- His father, Sajid Akram, migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa from India, not Pakistan.
- Indian police later verified Sajid Akram’s origin as Hyderabad, Telangana.
New Australian visa measures explained
Following the December 14 Sydney attack, Prime Minister Albanese announced stricter powers allowing the Interior Minister to cancel or refuse visas on a case-by-case basis for individuals involved in extremism or violence.
Australian officials stressed that these measures apply universally and do not target any specific country, including Pakistan.
Evidence the video Is AI-generated
Digital experts identified multiple signs of manipulation in the viral clip:
- Lip movements do not align with speech
- Voice distortion inconsistent with Albanese’s real voice
- Repetitive and unnatural facial expressions
Such indicators are commonly associated with deepfake videos, experts noted.
Impact on Pakistani community
The misinformation caused unnecessary fear among Pakistani students, professionals, and families planning travel to Australia. Officials have urged Pakistanis to rely only on verified government statements and credible news sources.
Verdict: False and Misleading Content
Both viral videos spreading online are misleading and falsely associate Pakistan with the Bondi Beach attack. Fact-checkers stress that such misinformation fuels panic and targets communities without evidence.
Authorities and media watchdogs urge social media users to verify content through credible sources before sharing unverified claims.
