ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been targeted by external forces through the imposition of disinformation warfare, as highlighted in a seminar titled “Negative Impacts of Disinformation on National Security” held in Islamabad on Wednesday. Renowned journalist Reham Khan, Brigadier (Retired) Asif Haroon Raja, and Dr. Irfan Ashraf addressed the seminar.
Speaking at the seminar, Reham Khan stated that Pakistan has been subjected to disinformation warfare by external forces aiming to create political instability and chaos. She emphasized that certain political opportunists and malicious foreign elements have become instrumental in spreading disinformation, posing a threat to national security.
Reham Khan highlighted the ongoing dissemination of false narratives by a specific political faction and its leader through the media. She warned against the use of fake accounts to propagate anti-Pakistan rhetoric from abroad.
Moreover, Brigadier (Retired) Asif Haroon Raja noted a shift in modern warfare tactics, where social media is being utilized as a weapon for disinformation. He mentioned initiatives aimed at educating the youth to recognize and combat disinformation campaigns.
Brigadier (Retired) Asif Haroon Raja also revealed how the European Union’s DisinfoLab has exposed over 265 fake organizations used by India to malign Pakistan globally, emphasizing the need to counter such efforts effectively.
Dr. Irfan Ashraf addressed the audience, condemning the propagation of false propaganda following Imran Khan’s arrest and the spread of misinformation to misguide the youth. He criticized the unjust accusations leveled against Pakistan’s security institutions by foreign elements engaging in disinformation warfare.
Dr. Irfan Ashraf highlighted instances where false narratives were fabricated by external actors to incite public unrest, citing the example of misinformation spread during the May 9 incidents.
The participants of the seminar unanimously agreed to raise awareness against disinformation and work towards mitigating its negative impacts on national security.
