Pakistan Launches Sweeping Crackdown on Online Misinformation

The Pakistani government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat the spread of false information online, with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi declaring that authorities will no longer tolerate individuals spreading fake news or creating nationwide panic under the guise of journalism.

Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad on Monday, Naqvi claimed that 90% of news circulating on social media is false. “Unlike traditional newsrooms, where reporters are accountable to editors, social media allows anyone to post content without verification,” he explained.

The minister emphasized that while freedom of expression and the right to critique remain protected, fabricated content will not be tolerated. Complaints about such content can be lodged with the federal media regulator, with the Information Ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) jointly overseeing enforcement efforts.

“We will not allow fake news to spread, panic to be created nationwide, and then be shielded under the pretext of journalism. This cannot continue,” Naqvi stated firmly.

A key driver behind the government’s crackdown has been the proliferation of alarming rumors about former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains in custody. Claims that Khan had been moved from Adiala Jail—or had even died in detention—spread rapidly online, causing significant concern among his family and supporters both domestically and internationally. Ironically, Khan’s own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (TTP), had previously urged the government to take action against websites spreading such false claims.

Constitutional uncertainty has further fueled online speculation. Despite the recent 27th constitutional amendment establishing Field Marshal Asim Munir in key military leadership positions, no official notification regarding the appointments of the army chief and chief of defense staff has been issued five days after the previous term ended on November 27.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has attempted to quell rumors, stating that the notification for the appointment of the chief of defense forces will be issued soon and urging the public not to draw unsupported conclusions.

The government’s initiative comes amid expanding digital controls in Pakistan. In January, lawmakers amended the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and in April, authorities established the NCCIA. These revisions criminalize the intentional spread of false information likely to cause panic, with penalties including fines and up to three years imprisonment.

Critics warn the crackdown risks overreach and silencing legitimate dissent. Opposition parties, media groups, and rights organizations have denounced these measures as draconian, arguing they facilitate censorship rather than combat misinformation.

Pakistan’s press freedom credentials already face international scrutiny. The country ranks 158th out of 180 nations in the 2025 Press Freedom Index issued by Reporters Without Borders, with documented violations against journalists rising by nearly 60 percent. Freedom Network and the Pakistan Press Foundation have recorded over 270 such incidents this year alone.

Shamim Shahid, a Peshawar-based regional affairs expert, told The Media Line that Pakistan’s crackdown comes “amid deepening internal political polarization and rising external pressure due to tensions with Afghanistan, compounded by well-organized disinformation.”

Shahid noted that the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan has fueled a surge in fake news across Pakistan. “Insurgency in Balochistan and Pashtun concerns over military operations against militants, mainly linked to the banned TTP, are also fueling the spread of false and fake news,” he added.

Digital rights activists have expressed alarm over the government’s approach. Syed Jowdut Nadeem, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, cautioned that using broad terms like “fake news” to justify action against online dissenters risks further constricting public discourse in an already limited space.

Karachi-based activist Fizza Abbas echoed these concerns, telling The Media Line: “In Pakistan, the line between countering misinformation and constraining dissent has always been a delicate one.” She questioned whether the initiative would promote responsible journalism or merely expand state censorship powers.

Abbas emphasized the need for transparency and clear definitions to distinguish genuine misinformation from opinion, criticism, or uncomfortable reporting on those in power. Without proper safeguards, she warned, enforcement could become arbitrary and potentially extend to legitimate journalistic activities.

As Pakistan navigates this complex landscape, the government’s ability to balance legitimate concerns about misinformation with respect for press freedom and digital rights will be closely watched by journalists, activists, and the international community.