ISLAMABAD – A fact-check account by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday categorically debunked former US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s social media claim that a senior ISIS-K commander named Burhan (aka Zaid) was killed in Punjab.
In a late-night post on X, Khalilzad had written: “Good news from #Pakistan: Reportedly a senior ISIS-K commander, Burhan, also known as Zaid, was killed in Patak part of Akhtarabad city in Punjab.”
Good news from #Pakistan: Reportedly a senior ISIS-K commander Burhan, also known as Zaid, was killed in Patak part of Akhtarabad city in Punjab. #Afghanistan, #USA @DCIARatcliffe #Uzbekistan #Tajikistan #Kazakhstan #Turkmenistan #Iran #Iraq #Syria #India…
— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) November 16, 2025
Responding swiftly, the ministry’s official fact-checking handle clarified that the incident occurred on March 2, 2025, in Habibabad, Kasur district – not Akhtarabad – and was registered as a robbery or personal enmity case at Saddar Pattoki police station (FIR filed on March 6).“Burhan was an ordinary citizen living with his father-in-law near a fruit market. There is zero evidence linking him to ISIS-K or any terrorist group,” the ministry stated.
🔎 Fact Check
🟠 Claim:
Zalmay Khalilzad tweet claimed that a senior ISIS-Khorasan commander, Burhan alias Zaid, has been killed in the Pethak area of Akhtarabad in Punjab, Pakistan implying the presence and activity of ISIS-K elements inside the province.✅ Reality:
▪ The… pic.twitter.com/rRsEiGNQvl— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) November 17, 2025
It emphasized: “No ISIS-K/ISKP elements exist in Punjab as per credible security assessments,” slamming Khalilzad’s post for “twisting a purely criminal matter into a false narrative of terrorist activity.”The strong rebuttal underscores Pakistan’s sensitivity to unsubstantiated claims that could undermine its counter-terrorism successes and domestic stability.
Dear “Shadow President” of the terrorist regime,
Grow up and at least read the entire FIR before making childish claims. You tried to portray the killing of an ISKP militant as the death of an innocent civilian, when in reality, that person died back in March 2025.
Everyone… pic.twitter.com/4Uhg8NnKYk
— War Analyst (@War_Analysts) November 17, 2025
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