LAHORE:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced a crackdown on fake news on Monday, warning that misinformation on social media had reached a point where “90 percent of online news is fake” and would now face a coordinated crackdown by the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the Ministry of Information and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) would take action “on a massive scale”, adding that the state would no longer allow individuals to “declare a living person dead, a dead person alive or make any allegations they want without evidence”.
He emphasized that while he believed in freedom of speech and the right to criticize, those freedoms did not extend to producing or circulating false content. “If you have evidence, report a story. But you can’t fabricate content on social media and hide behind free speech,” he said.
Naqvi said mainstream journalists were part of an editorial system and a responsible reporting structure, unlike those who “spread fake news” online. He added that PEMRA was already acting on improper reporting in ordinary business, but social media lacked an accountability mechanism, prompting the government to act. He also suggested that an online content watchdog “was already being established”.
The minister warned people abroad who, he said, were involved in disinformation campaigns targeting state institutions. “Those who are sitting out there – you will also come back soon. If you think you will get protection here, it is not possible. You will be responsible,” he said.
He added that political campaigns run from India would reveal “how far some people are willing to go”, stressing that the country’s integrity was a red line.
Afghan repatriation campaign
Naqvi said the repatriation of illegal Afghan migrants was progressing across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan but was blocked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He claimed that Afghan camps deregistered by the federal government were still being run in KP. “Our message to the KP government is simple: prioritize your country over politics. National security is not an area where a province can pursue its own policy,” he said.
He warned that any Afghan who returned to Pakistan after repatriation would be arrested and said the federal government was considering several options, including legal action, to ensure KP’s compliance.
Naqvi also addressed reports of passengers being offloaded at airports, saying only 50-70 people were stopped daily due to incomplete documentation. He directed the FIA to release the data to counter “agent mafia-led disinformation campaigns”. “If we want to improve the ranking of our passports, action against travelers without proper documents is essential,” he added.
CDF appointment
Commenting on speculation surrounding the delay in announcing the appointment of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Naqvi said new constitutional systems could not be created “by pressing a button”.
“The constitution has been changed and a new institution is being established. A system takes time,” he said.
The CDF position was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replacing the President’s Joint Staff Committee. Field Marshal Asim Munir, currently serving as COAS, will assume the role.
The government will determine the division of responsibilities between COAS and CDF, including multi-domain integration, restructuring and joint armed forces. As per the amended law, the tenure of the COAS will restart for five years once the notification is issued.
“We will not allow fake news to create panic in the garb of journalism,” Naqvi said, adding that national security and public confidence could not be compromised.
