NARAN: Rumors circulating on social media claiming that visitors are being asked to present marriage certificates before entering Naran, a well-known tourist destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have been dismissed by local authorities.
Several posts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) alleged that police had set up checkpoints to stop couples who could not prove they were married. Some of these posts included a fake signboard reading, “Naran: Marriage certificate required for entry.” The claims spread widely, attracting thousands of reactions and comments online.
Officials have confirmed that the reports are entirely baseless. Shafiullah Gandapur, the district police officer of Mansehra, told Geo Fact Check that the claims were “totally fake” and emphasized that tourists are welcome in Naran without any such condition. The Mansehra Police also issued a clarification on Facebook, stating that the viral signboard and accompanying posts were fabricated.
Muhammad Nadir, the assistant commissioner of tehsil Balakot, said no such order has been issued by the police or local administration. He explained that vehicle checks at entry points are part of routine security procedures only.
The verdict: The viral posts and images are false. There is no rule or restriction in Naran requiring visitors to show a marriage certificate, and tourists are free to enter the area as usual.
