X location tool shows many anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan accounts operate from India

The new location tool introduced by microblogging platform X has sent shockwaves online after hundreds of accounts were revealed to be used for political propaganda across the world. Many Indian accounts impersonating Israelis, Baloch nationalists, and critics of Islam and Pakistan were found to be operating from India.

Several of these accounts had massive followings and enjoyed wide popularity on X, despite their true identities being unknown. Many of them have consistently spread hatred, Islamophobia, and misinformation targeting Pakistan.

These fake profiles were used to push coordinated propaganda aimed at creating instability and projecting a negative image of Pakistan. They frequently posted demeaning content, manipulated narratives, and circulated misleading videos.

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria’s account, which often posts criticism of Pakistan, was also revealed to be operated from India. Similarly, the account of Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) was shown to be run from India.

A propaganda account named Islamabad Post displayed a location in Afghanistan, while activist Mahrang Baloch’s account appeared to be based in Singapore.

Several pro-Israel accounts, such as Vivid, Israel Army, Mariana Times, American Voice, and Russian Army, also showed surprising locations. An account named Al Faris Emirati, which impersonated an Emirati national and frequently criticized Pakistan, was revealed to be operated from India.

These accounts have been used to malign Islam and Pakistan globally. The fact that they amassed such large followings has left many users shocked at how far-reaching their disinformation campaigns have been.

Numerous fake claims and fabricated videos have circulated from these profiles. The new X location feature has now sparked a broader debate about the scale of online misinformation and how difficult it has been to detect such accounts until now.

In addition, several Pakistani political leaders were shown to have accounts operated from abroad. PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s account appeared to be managed from West Asia.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s account was shown to be operated from Germany, while PML-N leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s account displayed a location in the UAE. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s account location could not be determined.