In a post its fact-checking X account, the ministry said social media accounts propelling Indian propaganda were circulating false claims that Houthi missiles had struck King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia, damaging three PAF JF-17 aircraft and prompting their evacuation.

The ministry also shared a screenshot of a post by one such account, with “fake” stamped on it.

“This is absolute (sic) fake. No credible or official source has also reported any sort of damage to PAF JF-17s,” the ministry said in its statement.

It added that the “deliberate fabrication of damage to PAF aircraft and their alleged evacuation is only blatant Indian propaganda part of Hindutva deceit and deceptive mindset”.

Pakistani forces were deployed at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Dhahran in April as part of the joint defence cooperation agreement signed between the two countries last year. The deployment was meant to boost the kingdom’s security.

“The Pakistani force consists of fighter and support aircraft belonging to the Pakistan Air Force, with the aim of enhancing joint military coordination, raising the level of operational readiness between the armed forces of the two countries,” the Saudi defence ministry said at the time.

On the other hand, have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days, as the US-Israeli war on Iran expands into a wider conflict.

Houthis had struck King Khalid air base in Khamis Mus­hait, in the kingdom’s south, hitting hangars, radar installations, runways and ammunition stores on Monday. Saudi authorities issued eme­r­gency alerts in Khamis Mushait and three other southern areas following the attacks.

But no attacks on King Abdulaziz Air Base have been reported so far.

Naeem was addressing JI supporters at Karachi’s Cantonment Station before departing for Islamabad.

“In line with our strategy, people from across the country have departed for Islamabad,” he said, adding that a road caravan had also departed for the federal capital in addition to the “train march”.

He said the rally would pass through Hyderabad, Landhi, Nawabshah, Rohri and Sukkur, adding that “we will invite our sisters to join us once we reach [Islamabad]”.

Rehman said the purpose of the march was to help relieve the burden on the least privileged.

“Instead of providing relief to the people, the government has decided that it would make the nation pay for its bad governance,” he added. “We demand that the levy extortion should end. Petrol prices would then reduce quickly and reach around Rs200 per litre. That’s when the economy could move forward.”

He said that the government had increased petrol prices more than any other state in the region. “The government wants to rob the common people in times of crisis,” Naeem claimed.

The JI emir said voicing complaints on social media was pointless, urging supporters to step out of their houses to protest the injustice.

“For the past 36-37 days, nationwide protests have been ongoing,” he said, adding that protests were currently under way in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Rawalpindi, Gujrat and various cities of KP.

“JI has mobilised entire Pakistan,” he said. “No hindrances can stop the protesters.”

“When we reach Islamabad, it’s not guaranteed that the situation would remain under control,” Rehman warned. If the government tried to suppress the movement, the situation would get out of control, he said.

The JI has been holding nationwide protests against fuel levy, which is more than Rs100 per litre.

The party posted on X that the “train march”, led by Rehman from Karachi, would reach Rohri, Sukkur to hold a rally at 8pm. The protesters would depart for Multan on Monday.

On Saturday, a government delegation, including PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, and Salman Rafique, called on the JI leadership at its Mansoorah headquarters in Lahore, but the meeting failed to break the deadlock.

During the talks, the government delegation asked the JI to postpone the long march in view of security threats. However, JI leader Liaquat Baloch said the long march would remain necessary until the levy imposed on the public was withdrawn.

The PTI is also scheduled to stage its protest in the capital on Sept 27 for the release of Imran Khan, among other demands. It also turned down a request from the government to postpone the march.

Ahead of the potential long marches, Islamabad police chief Sohail Chaudhry and Commissioner Mohammad Usman reviewed security and law and order arrangements at major entry and exit points and other key locations, APP reported. Hundreds of containers have been placed at the city’s entry points as the administration braced for back-to-back protests.

During the visit, the chief commissioner said maintaining law and order was a top priority and stressed that citizens, traders, businesses, professionals and government employees should be able to carry out their lawful activities without unnecessary disruption.

Furthermore, emergency has been declared in hospitals of federal capital. Vacations of medical and non-medical staff have been cancelled, while adequate supply of medicines and blood has been ensured.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences was placed on “high alert”, according to a notification circulated on Saturday, a copy of which is available with Dawn.

The circular directed officers and staff to “remain vigilant, readily available and fully prepared to respond in case of emergency call”. Superintendent transport was urged to ensure ambulance availability round the clock during the ‘high alert’ period until Sep 30.

More to follow