Islamabad, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, alongside Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, announced that Pakistan will actively combat the spread of baseless and false propaganda through social media platforms. During a news conference in Islamabad, Solangi emphasized the government’s determination to curb the misuse of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the character assassination of government officials and the propagation of unfounded claims.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Solangi highlighted the potential for social media to serve as a vehicle for propaganda and warned that the state would take decisive actions against such misuse. He referenced Article 19 of the Constitution, underscoring that freedom of expression has constitutional limits and that disrespectful language towards the judiciary, armed forces, and friendly nations would not be tolerated.

The Information Minister voiced concerns over the use of social media to incite violence, stating that such actions contravene the law and constitution. He affirmed the government’s readiness to tackle illegal activities on these platforms, insisting that social media companies cannot shirk their responsibilities. Solangi also mentioned that those dissatisfied with court judgments have the recourse of filing review petitions, noting instances where court decisions have been revised.

Assuring foreigners residing in Pakistan of their safety, Solangi guaranteed the government’s commitment to their security. Ashrafi, speaking at the conference, reiterated the centrality of the finality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the Muslim faith and condemned politicization of this belief as a grave offense. He also emphasized the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The announcements come as Pakistan seeks to balance freedom of expression with the need to maintain public order and protect the integrity of individuals and institutions against unfounded online attacks.