Youth Urged to Lead Fight Against Extremism, Fake News on Digital Platforms

Youth Essential in Combating Extremism and Digital Misinformation, Experts Say

Experts at a recent seminar in Quetta highlighted the critical role young people must play in countering violent extremism and tackling the proliferation of false information on digital platforms.

The gathering, organized by the Press Information Department (PID) under its Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Project, brought together academics, journalists and university students from across Balochistan to address growing concerns about radicalization and misinformation in Pakistani society.

“Extremism has infiltrated our society like a cancerous growth, and the wrongful propagation of news on social media has further fueled this evil,” speakers told the audience. They emphasized that young people, as digital natives and future leaders, are uniquely positioned to combat these challenges.

The seminar comes amid rising concerns about the impact of digital misinformation on social cohesion in Pakistan, particularly in regions like Balochistan that have historically faced security challenges. Project Director Shahid Imran Ranjha outlined the CVE initiative’s objectives, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing extremism at its roots.

Prominent speakers included professors Babrak Niaz and Dr. Muhammad Rahim Nasar, senior journalist Ayub Tareen, and Deputy Director PID Quetta Asad Khan Mandokhail. They collectively stressed the necessity of a multi-faceted approach to counter extremism, including educational reforms, media literacy campaigns, and grassroots awareness efforts.

The rapid expansion of social media access across Pakistan has created new vulnerabilities, experts noted. With smartphone penetration reaching unprecedented levels even in remote areas, the ability to disseminate unverified information has grown exponentially, creating fertile ground for extremist narratives.

“The prevention of false news is only possible when we meticulously scrutinize the truth and the sources of the news we share,” one speaker explained. “If we engage in this critical reflection, we can stop the spread of false news.”

This emphasis on critical thinking represents a shift in counter-extremism strategies, moving beyond mere content removal toward building resilience within communities. Participants discussed how young people could be equipped with the analytical skills needed to identify manipulation techniques and propaganda.

The seminar reflects growing recognition among Pakistani authorities about the link between misinformation and extremism. Security analysts have increasingly warned that digital platforms serve as vectors for radicalization, with extremist groups adapting their recruitment strategies to target tech-savvy youth through sophisticated online campaigns.

Education was identified as a crucial battleground. Speakers advocated for curriculum reforms that would incorporate media literacy and critical thinking skills from an early age. They suggested that universities should play a leading role in researching extremism’s root causes and developing evidence-based intervention strategies.

Journalists participating in the event highlighted their profession’s responsibility to uphold truth and accuracy in reporting. They acknowledged that mainstream media outlets must maintain high standards to serve as reliable alternatives to unverified social media content.

For Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least populated province, addressing these issues takes on particular significance. The region has experienced periods of instability that extremist narratives have sometimes exploited, making youth engagement in counter-extremism efforts especially important.

The seminar concluded with Project Director Ranjha and Deputy Director Mandokhail distributing shields and certificates to participants, recognizing their commitment to combating extremism and misinformation.

As digital platforms continue to evolve and information flows accelerate, the insights shared at the Quetta seminar underline that technological challenges require human solutions—with young people at the forefront of these efforts. The message was clear: combating extremism in the digital age requires not just policy interventions, but active citizenship and critical engagement from the next generation.