ISLAMABAD, August 8 — Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has condemned Indian media for spreading false narratives about Pakistan. He urged for a unified national front to counter disinformation campaigns targeting the country.
National Assembly’s Response to Disinformation
During a National Assembly session, Tarar lauded Parliament for its strong stance in Operation Bunyaan Marsus. Lawmakers showed collective support for Pakistan’s armed forces. Tarar dismissed claims made by Indian media about destroyed ‘ports’ in Lahore and Multan, pointing out the inaccuracy, as both cities are landlocked.
Joint Efforts Against Misinformation
Tarar highlighted the collaborative efforts of Pakistan’s Parliament, armed forces, and media in countering false claims. Government and opposition members have played pivotal roles in reinforcing Pakistan’s global position. The minister expressed gratitude to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders for defending Pakistan internationally.
Challenges from AI-Driven Misinformation
Tarar noted the growing challenges in combating misinformation due to artificial intelligence advancements, making the threat more complex and difficult to detect.
Government Actions Against Fake News
To strengthen efforts against disinformation, the federal minister announced several government initiatives:
- Launch of a Fact Checker Twitter handle for real-time verification
- Establishment of Pakistan’s first Digital Communication Department
- Implementation of the Fake News Buster program on PTV World
- Enhanced coordination among state-run media
Media outlets like PBC, PTV, APP, and PID are actively identifying and countering fake news campaigns.
Proposal for a Parliamentary Committee
Tarar proposed creating a parliamentary committee to improve institutional coordination and devise strategies against disinformation targeting Pakistan. He called for active opposition participation, underlining that success should be credited to the National Assembly’s collective efforts.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq assured lawmakers that the proposal would be forwarded to the relevant Ministry of Information committee for necessary action.
