Pakistan papers sorry after running WikiLeaks hoax

Islamabad: Leading Pakistani newspapers have acknowledged they were hoaxed after publishing reports based on fake WikiLeaks cables containing crude anti-Indian propaganda.

The reports - which featured prominently in several papers on Thursday - cited alleged US diplomatic cables as confirming many right-wing Pakistani views and conspiracy theories about India and the disputed Kashmir region.

Much of Pakistan's media toes a pro-military, anti-Indian line.

The instigator of the hoax material remains unclear, though it appeared to have originated on a news website known for anti-Indian and anti-Hindu articles.

One paper, The Express Tribune, published an apology on Friday. Others admitted they were hoaxed.