Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office has said he does not have a Twitter handle in the wake of a slew of posts on the micro-blogging site from fake accounts claiming to represent him.
However, several fake accounts are still active on Twitter, including some followed by journalists, the ruling PML-N party's official account, state-run PTV and even the premier's daughter Maryam Nawaz.
The controversy over the fake accounts erupted this week after one of them tweeted that the Prime Minister would address the nation.
That tweet led to speculation about the possible announcement of a military operation in North Waziristan tribal region.
In a statement sent to journalists late last night, officials in the Prime Minister's Office said Sharif did not have a Twitter account.
"Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has 'NO' twitter account. Various news are being attributed to the PM through fake Twitter accounts. Measures are being taken to close down these fake accounts," the statement said.
Despite this, tweets continued to emerge from several fake accounts. The most followed fake handle is @NSharifOfficial. Besides some Indian journalists, the account is followed by top Pakistani media personalities.
Another fake account doing the rounds is one purporting to represent army chief Gen Raheel Sharif. Though the military's media arm clarified it is fake, the account remains active.
