These "scandals" are often viewed as part of a broader pattern of character assassination in Pakistani politics:

The scandal broke out in July 2017, when a video surfaced on social media platforms, allegedly showing Maryam Nawaz engaging in a compromising act with a man identified as Safdar Awan, her husband. The video was widely circulated on social media, and several news channels aired it, sparking a nationwide debate.

As Maryam Nawaz entered politics, her personal life became increasingly scrutinized. In 2018, she was arrested and disqualified from contesting elections due to her involvement in the Panama Papers case. Her husband, Muhammad Safdar Awan, was also implicated in the case and served a prison sentence.

In the past, doctored images and fake screenshots posing as reputable news outlets (like Dawn News ) have circulated to spread false personal narratives.