Nepal Unrest: Old Video From Pakistan Falsely Shared As Protester Catching Tear-Gas Shell And Throwing It Away

A dramatic 14-second video of a protester catching a tear-gas shell with bare hands is making the rounds on social media, with users claiming it captures scenes from the recent violent unrest in Nepal. The clip has gone viral amid reports of curfews and military deployment in Kathmandu. However, Newschecker found that the footage is from Pakistan and not Nepal.

The post can be viewed here (archived here). 

Evidence

Reverse Image Search Results

Newschecker conducted a reverse search of keyframes from the viral clip. The video was also uploaded online on July 1, 2025, well before the Nepal protests that began on September 8, 2025. 

Earlier Media Reports

A clearer version of the same video was published by multiple outlets in May 2022.

• A ProPakistani.pk report  from May 25, 2022 identified the protest as taking place in Pakistan, stating that a young Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker caught a lit-up tear gas canister and threw it out of harm’s way, impressing social media users. This Reddit post stated that it happened in Lahore.
  
• Gulf Today shared the clip on May 26, 2022, confirming it showed a Pakistani protester throwing back a tear-gas canister.

Location Clues in the Video

In a clearer upload shared on May 25, 2022, a “Total PARCO” signboard is visible next to a fuel station. Total PARCO fuel stations are operated exclusively in Pakistan under a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, which confirms the location in the viral video as Pakistan, and not Nepal.

Also Read: Viral ‘Speeches’ By Barack Obama Praising India Are AI-Generated

Verdict

The viral clip of a protester catching a tear-gas shell is misattributed. It is not from the recent protests in Nepal but from a 2022 protest in Pakistan.

FAQs

Q1. Does the viral video show the recent Nepal protests?
No. The video is from Pakistan in 2022, not from the current unrest in Nepal.

Q2. How can we confirm the video is from Pakistan?
The clip shows a “Total PARCO” fuel station, which operates only in Pakistan. Media reports from 2022 also confirm the same.

Q3. Why do old videos often resurface during new events?
Old footage is frequently shared out of context to amplify narratives, mislead audiences, or gain attention on social media.

Sources
ProPakistani report, dated May 25, 2022
Gulf Today post, Facebook, May 26, 2022