Pakistan Airports Authority denies viral Lahore Airport fire claims

Dubai: Reports of fire and cancellation of flight at the Lahore airport were widely circulated on social media and even reported by some media outlet.

However, the authorities concerned denied these reports.

In a statement, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has firmly rejected the reports circulating on social media and certain news outlets about a fire breaking out at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. The Authority termed these reports as baseless, false and misleading.

According to the statement, airport operations at Lahore are proceeding smoothly without any disruptions. There has been no incident of fire or any other unpleasant occurrence at the airport on Saturday. All flights are operating as per schedule and passenger services remain unaffected,” said a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority.

Rely on verified sources

The Authority strongly condemned the spread of misinformation and urged the public and media houses to rely only on verified sources. “The dissemination of false and unverified news creates unnecessary panic among the public and tarnishes the image of national institutions,” the statement added.

Old video

An official said that an old video May 2024 was shared on social media when flight operations at Lahore airport were disrupted due to a minor fire caused by a short circuit in the ceiling of the immigration counter. There was no incident of any fire or flight cancellation on Saturday.

Further emphasising the importance of responsible journalism, the Authority appealed to citizens to boycott those media platforms and individuals who spread inaccurate information without verification.

Legal action

The Pakistan Airports Authority reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public service, assuring that any important updates regarding airport operations are promptly shared through official channels.

Authorities have warned of possible legal action against individuals or organisations found guilty of intentionally spreading misinformation.