Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated in a press conference in Lahore that the information ministry along with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency would begin action on a massive scale against the spread of fake news on digital platforms. He said that for several days a large portion of social media content had been inaccurate, yet he maintained that he believed in freedom of expression and the right to critique. Naqvi explained that mainstream outlets had mechanisms for addressing complaints and accountability through editorial oversight, but social media allowed individuals to upload content, images or claims without verification. He said that no one would be allowed to circulate unverified claims or post allegations about any person without evidence. Naqvi added that anyone producing vlogs or podcasts must follow responsible standards, and repeated that freedom of expression remained important but fabrication of information could not be permitted. When asked about a regulatory body in relation to the new measures, he said one was already in the process of being formed and that the action planned by the information ministry and NCCIA was not against journalists but against those spreading false information. He said that individuals making baseless statements would have to take responsibility for them and clarified that the upcoming steps would not be an operation but targeted action against unsubstantiated claims.
Naqvi addressed questions regarding campaigns allegedly being run from abroad and said that people should be exposed for actions that crossed boundaries of national integrity. He mentioned online criticism aimed at the Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and said that the state would not overlook such actions, referring to individuals posting content from overseas. He said that those who believed they would find protection abroad were mistaken and that they would be brought back and held answerable. Naqvi then discussed challenges linked to Afghan migrants and said authorities were encountering difficulties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding the repatriation process, unlike other provinces. He stated that Afghan migrants were being protected in KP and pointed out that some refugee camps that had been de notified by the federal government continued to operate there. He mentioned the involvement of Afghans in violent acts and said that station house officers were being assigned to locate individuals staying illegally so that they could be sent back. Instructions were issued to inspector generals to collect information through SHOs. Naqvi urged the KP government to prioritise national interests over politics, saying the region could not afford more security incidents. He encouraged Afghans staying illegally to leave on their own and warned that those returning to Pakistan after repatriation would be sacked.
He said the Centre was considering various options in relation to KP’s alleged non cooperation and emphasised that national security did not allow provinces to pursue separate policies. Discussing reports about passengers being denied travel abroad, he said that around fifty to seventy people were being offloaded each day and had asked FIA to release the data so that people could understand how agent groups were pushing misleading claims online. Naqvi said travellers with complete documents were not being stopped and that action against those with incomplete documentation was necessary to improve the country’s passport ranking. He then addressed speculation circulating on social media regarding a notification tied to the Chief of Defence Forces appointment. He said that people were expecting the process to move instantly, but a new institution created through a constitutional amendment required time to establish its structure. He said people needed to understand that constitutional changes did not happen with the press of a button and that proper systems had to be set before notification procedures could be completed.
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