While addressing interns at the Ministry of Planning, Federal Minister for Planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for young people to be cautious on social media platforms. He highlighted the increasing nature of misinformation and its potential impact on misleading the public.
Iqbal pointed to a recent incident where fake narratives about Pakistan’s national power and military leadership began circulating online. Before May 6, several misleading claims emerged, stating unprecedented global power for Pakistan, unparalleled stature of Army Chief General Asim Munir, and unmatched vigilance of the nation’s military forces. However, on May 10, these claims were proven incorrect.
The minister stressed the importance of distinguishing between fact and fiction and encouraged young people to verify information before accepting it as truth. He presented this example to show how propaganda can be presented as reality, which can potentially cause significant harm.