Pakistan Honors Two Architects of Operation Sindoor Disinformation Campaign

Pakistani authorities have sparked controversy by bestowing prestigious civilian awards on two media figures accused of orchestrating disinformation campaigns during recent border tensions with India, raising serious questions about the state’s endorsement of propaganda tactics.

The government honored Qamar Cheema with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian distinctions, while Wajahat Kazmi received a special commendation from Sindh’s Chief Minister. Officials praised both for their “exceptional media contribution” during what Pakistan officially termed “Operation Bunyad al Marsoos” – more commonly known internationally as Operation Sindoor, a military standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

However, investigations by the Digital Forensic Research and Analysis Centre (DFRAC) paint a troubling picture of the recipients’ conduct during the conflict. According to findings released by the Disinformation Commission, both men engaged in systematic propaganda efforts that included fabricating military victories and spreading false information.

Cheema, in particular, gained notoriety for disseminating unsubstantiated claims about Indian aircraft being shot down and missile systems being destroyed. In one egregious example, he shared footage from a video game, presenting it as authentic combat footage with the apparent intent of embarrassing the Indian Air Force.

“The irony couldn’t be more evident,” noted a spokesperson from the Disinformation Commission. “While Cheema publicly boasted on Twitter about Pakistan winning the information warfare battle, he was simultaneously flooding social media with AI-generated fake news and misrepresenting gaming footage as military triumphs.”

Questions about Cheema’s associations have further intensified scrutiny. His Islamabad-based Sanober Institute hosted a June 2025 roundtable featuring Qari Mohammad Yaqoob Sheikh, an individual designated by the U.S. Treasury Department for his leadership role in Lashkar-e-Taiba, an organization internationally recognized as a terrorist group.

Kazmi’s record appears similarly problematic. Having previously worked with international media organizations, he leveraged these credentials to amplify false narratives with greater authority. DFRAC identified patterns in his social media activity suggesting deliberate manipulation to artificially inflate his online reach and impact.

His past includes stirring communal tensions following an Indian cricket match when he made inflammatory comments about Sikh cricketer Arshdeep Singh after a dropped catch, seemingly attempting to provoke religious polarization.

Further complicating Kazmi’s profile are resurfaced sexual harassment allegations published by Tribune.pk, a leading Pakistani newspaper, in 2016. Following these publications, Kazmi reportedly deleted much of his online presence.

Media ethics watchdogs across South Asia have expressed alarm at Pakistan’s decision to honor these individuals. “When governments reward those who spread disinformation during sensitive military situations, they effectively institutionalize propaganda as state policy,” said a regional media analyst who requested anonymity.

The awards come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with both India and Pakistan engaged in aggressive information campaigns alongside their military posturing. Experts in information warfare note that this represents a concerning evolution in conflict dynamics, where recognition for propagandists signals official endorsement of misinformation as a legitimate tactic.

The controversy highlights the growing challenge of information integrity during regional conflicts, where social media enables rapid spread of unverified claims that can inflame tensions and complicate diplomatic efforts. By formally honoring figures associated with documented disinformation campaigns, Pakistan appears to be formalizing information manipulation as an extension of state policy.

Neither Cheema nor Kazmi has publicly addressed the allegations regarding their role in spreading false information during the military standoff, and Pakistani officials have not responded to requests for comment on the criticisms surrounding these awards.