The Government of Pakistan has established a Joint Task Force (JTF) to identify and take action against individuals involved in spreading anti-state propaganda. The move, directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to counter misleading narratives targeting national institutions and security forces.
The ten-member task force will be led by the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and will include representatives from key government departments and intelligence agencies. Members of the JTF include the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Director of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crimes Wing. The team has been tasked with adopting a unified approach to address the growing challenge of propaganda.
Other members of the task force include the Director of IT from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, a Joint Director from the Intelligence Bureau, and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Islamabad Police. Additionally, representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) have been appointed, highlighting the critical role of intelligence agencies in tackling this issue.
According to an official notification, the task force was formed in response to recent terrorist incidents and the spread of false information targeting Pakistan’s security forces and institutions. Authorities have accused certain groups of running malicious campaigns to create unrest and destabilize the country for political purposes. The government views these propaganda efforts as a direct threat to national stability during a sensitive period.
The JTF’s primary objective is to identify individuals, both within Pakistan and abroad, who are involved in spreading false narratives. The task force has been directed to submit its recommendations to the government within ten days. Legal action will be taken against those found responsible, ensuring accountability for any attempts to undermine the state’s integrity.
