FROM the platform of Pakistan National Youth Convention 2024, both Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir cautioned the youth on issues that matter much for their own future and that of a strong and prosperous country. The PM referred to the vicious propaganda onslaught unleashed by the enemies against Pakistan in the recent past and urged the youth to play a constructive role in dealing with this emerging national security challenge provided they remained focused, and fact-check all details through authentic information from the state institutions rather than falling prey to the propaganda. The Army Chief sensitized the youth on the hazards of social media, stressing on verification of any news that circulates on platforms as has been enjoined by the Holy Quran, which calls on believers to verify information before transmitting it onwards.
Disinformation has always been used as a tool by the enemy to advance its agenda but it has assumed serious dimensions with the advent of the social media era where propaganda is unleashed not only by the enemy to weaken the fabric of a society but also by those who used the social media to pursue their own agenda. It is widely used to spread false and fake information, distort facts and figures and character assassination of the opponents. In the AI age, it is next to impossible for an ordinary soul to distinguish between facts and lies, especially when the technology is used to mimic personalities and documents. We experience this phenomenon on an almost daily basis and even fake circulars are issued on behalf of the governmental institutions in furtherance of the propaganda needs of a particular group or vested interests. There is all the more reason for our people to be cautious of any negative use of social media as we are in the midst of the electoral process and a multitude of tactics are being used to influence and confuse the minds of the voters. The advice of the Prime Minister to the youth to cross check information with the government departments becomes more relevant and it is the duty of the responsible media to verify information from the other party. As some circles are focused against national institutions, which amount to undermining confidence of the people in national institutions and the future of the country, the COAS rightly pointed out that the propaganda is aimed at spreading negativity and chaos in the society. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the educated citizen to remain vigilant against such trends, save themselves and the ordinary souls from falling prey to negative propaganda.
