Pakistan's Defence Minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has addressed online criticism regarding his participation in a social media riddle involving an artificial intelligence-generated image, according to a report by Dawn.
What happened
According to Dawn, Asif reshared an AI-generated image of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe on the social media platform X. The image prompt asked users to identify an out-of-place item from 1956. Asif responded by pointing out that Monroe was wearing a smartwatch. The reshared post was subsequently deleted, though further details regarding its deletion were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Following the post, several social media users questioned the propriety of his online activity, and Indian media outlets published articles covering the interaction. Asif addressed the issue on Friday during an interview on the Geo News program "Naya Pakistan."
Key facts
- Asif confirmed that he personally manages his own account on X, stating he operates it himself "for fun."
- He defended his reply to the riddle, arguing that pointing out a smartwatch in a 1956 setting was a straightforward and harmless response.
- The defence minister emphasized that he is a normal human being with a personal life and questioned why holding official office should require him to abandon his identity.
- Criticism arose from both social media users and news outlets following his response to the post.
Why it matters
As reported by Dawn, the event illustrates how lighthearted social media activity by high-ranking political figures can draw significant online scrutiny and media attention, leading officials to publicly defend their personal use of social platforms.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 16, 2026 · Photo by Sri Ranjani Mukundan on Unsplash