Fact Check: Shandana Gulzar’s Claim About PM Shehbaz Sharif Meeting Netanyahu Proven False
Viral Photo Misidentified; The Person in Image Is Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Not Israeli PM
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader **Shandana Gulzar** sparked controversy on Wednesday after posting on social media that Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** had met and shaken hands with Israeli Prime Minister **Benjamin Netanyahu** during a recent visit to Egypt.
In her post on platform *X* (formerly Twitter), Shandana wrote:
> “Article 6! Treason! Pakistan does not recognize Israel. A meeting with a murderer like Netanyahu is unacceptable—or has the ‘Khoon League’ created its own country?”
The post included a low-resolution image showing Shehbaz Sharif shaking hands with another leader, whom she claimed to be Netanyahu. However, multiple users quickly debunked the claim by sharing the original video and photos proving that the man in the image was **Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan**, not Netanyahu.
The photo was taken during the **Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt**, where PM Shehbaz Sharif briefly met Pashinyan alongside **Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev**. International media had already aired the footage of the meeting, clearly showing all three leaders.
This is the real video… Netanyahu did not attend the summit in Egypt… Shehbaz Sharif is meeting the PM of Armenia.
I forget if you have any public role these days or not. You are nothing more than a troll spreading lies. Grow up if you can. pic.twitter.com/xlyDrAiia2 https://t.co/DvAiYj09yp
— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) October 15, 2025
Despite overwhelming evidence, Shandana stood by her claim, responding to one user:
> “Sir, they met in Egypt a few months ago — this isn’t fake.”
However, **fact-checking confirms her statement to be entirely false and misleading.** There has been **no meeting or encounter** between PM Shehbaz Sharif and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu — neither in Egypt nor anywhere else.
Pakistan’s government has repeatedly clarified that the country **does not recognize Israel** and maintains **no diplomatic relations** with it.
Federal Information Minister **Attaullah Tarar** also addressed the issue on X, stating:
> “PM Shehbaz Sharif recently met the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Egypt. Some political elements are distorting this video and fabricating a completely false narrative. Those spreading lies about this photo have no regard for Pakistan’s dignity.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with President of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of Armenia day before yesterday in Egypt. Some local political elements are trying to distort the video of this meeting and giving a totally false story.
اس تصویر کے حوالے سے جھوٹ پھیلانے والوں کو… pic.twitter.com/6lTbgB7yJc— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) October 15, 2025
It is noteworthy that **Shandana Gulzar has not deleted her post** as of yet, even though dozens of users have debunked her claim with verified footage and credible sources.
**Fact Check Conclusion:** The viral claim that **PM Shehbaz Sharif met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu** is **false and misleading.** The person in the photo is **Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan**, and the image was captured during a **peace conference in Egypt**, not at any meeting involving Israel.
