In a decisive move to address the growing menace of fake news and propaganda, the Pakistani government has constituted a 10-member Joint Task Force (JTF) to identify and prosecute those responsible for malicious campaigns targeting the state. The formation of the task force was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The task force will focus on identifying individuals, groups, and organizations behind the dissemination of fake and misleading information. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted the misuse of domestic and foreign-based media platforms to spread concocted, baseless, and inflammatory narratives against state institutions, particularly security forces.
“This campaign is aimed at creating serious law and order situations in the country while fostering provincialism and ethnic divisions for specific political objectives,” the statement noted.
Chaired by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the JTF includes representatives from key security and intelligence agencies such as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Other members include officials from the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crimes Wing, Islamabad Police, the Ministry of Information Technology, and the Ministries of Interior and Information. The task force may include additional officers if deemed necessary.
The JTF has been tasked with presenting its findings within 10 days to facilitate swift action against the culprits. The team will investigate recent incidents of terrorism, vandalism, and the media campaigns surrounding these events. It will also trace individuals or groups responsible for spreading false information, whether based in Pakistan or overseas, and propose strategies to bridge policy gaps.
The government’s action comes amid escalating tensions with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which it accuses of spreading anarchy and inciting violence during events such as the May 9 protests. The PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been actively campaigning for his release from Adiala Prison. The party’s recent protest march in Islamabad has further deepened political divides.
This newly formed task force is expected to play a crucial role in curbing the spread of disinformation and reinforcing the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
