DIGITAL TERRORISM: Addressing the Intricacies
- Impact on National Security and Trust: Social media propaganda against the Pakistan Army erodes public trust, undermines morale, and creates divisions between the military and civilians.
- Political Exploitation: PTI and its supporters leverage misinformation to portray the military as partisan, escalating political tensions and protests.
- Countermeasures Needed: Combating digital terrorism requires strengthened regulations, cyber literacy, transparent communication, and collaboration among state institutions to restore stability.
The recent propaganda against the Pakistan Army on social media has sparked several concerns, raising questions about national security, public perception, and the socio-political stability of the country, denoting that the state is encountering a novel challenge, digital terrorism. Such malicious campaigns can erode public trust in the military, which is a crucial institution for national security. This can lead to subduing the morale within the armed forces and skepticism among the general population.
Hostile entities can exploit misinformation and propaganda to weaken the country’s defense mechanisms. It can distract the military from its primary duties by forcing it to deal with internal perception issues. Targeting the military can exacerbate existing political and social fractures, leading to increased polarization and potential unrest in any state. Persistent negative campaigns can also undermine confidence not only in the military but also in other related institutions.
The recent propaganda against the Pakistan Army on social media is intricately linked with the political dynamics surrounding the PTI protest calls of 25-26 November 2024. As per the record of 2014, PTI protest calls often come in the wake of political tensions, particularly after allegations of unfair practices or decisions by state institutions. The protests also coincided with the recent visit of the Belarusian president, Aleksandr Lukashenko, on November 25, which portrayed a negative image of the state as the capital city was entangled in a chaotic position. His trip went under the radar or did not get much traction since the focus was more on the protest, dubbed as the final call to seek the release of Imran Khan.
Propaganda against the military is being used to amplify these tensions, portraying the army as a partisan player rather than a neutral institution, thus fueling public dissent. The anarchy of social media is creating a gulf between the state institutions and the people of Pakistan. PTI and its supporters are leveraging social media to build a narrative that the military is complicit in suppressing political dissent. This is being done through selective information, misinformation, or exaggerated claims about military actions and intentions to garner public support and justify their protests.
Further effective propaganda can mobilize PTI’s base by portraying the protests as a struggle not just against political rivals but also against an overreaching military establishment. Escalation of such activities may increase turnout and support for the protests, framing them as a broader fight for democracy and civilian supremacy. By spreading propaganda against the military, PTI is trying to attempt to discredit the current government as well as other political opponents who are perceived to be aligned with or supported by the military.
Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, warned that “inimical” forces and their abettors have unleashed “digital terrorism” and are trying hard to create division between armed forces and the people of Pakistan through peddling “lies, fake news, and propaganda.” He said that similar to May 9, 2023, protests of 26th November 2024 will “undoubtedly” remain “black days in the history of Pakistan when civilians were provoked to go against the establishment. In Lahore, 22 extremists have been arrested for spreading propaganda against the Pak Army. The Pakistan Army has urged the government to enforce strong laws to stop the misuse of free speech. It stressed the need to control “unethical and harmful practices” that spread lies and create divisions in society. The military’s media wing, ISPR, shared this stance on Thursday after the 84th Formation Commanders’ Conference (FCC) held at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
The government of Pakistan can play a vital role in combatting this digital terrorism. The government has formed a joint task force (JTF) to identify and trace perpetrators involved in a “massive malicious campaign,” which it said was aimed at discrediting the state. It will be chaired by the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). This initiative by the Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is directed to underscore the administration’s resolve to address the challenges posed by fake news and digital disinformation, especially in the rapidly evolving media landscape of the twenty-first century. Analysts believe the task force’s recommendations could result in stricter laws governing media and social platforms in Pakistan.
The military should communicate clearly, consistently, and transparently to counter misinformation. Regular briefings and public engagement can help maintain trust and provide factual counterpoints to propaganda. Initiating dialogue between the military, government, and political parties, including PTI, to address grievances and reduce tensions. Constructive engagement can help de-escalate the situation and foster mutual understanding. Strengthening regulations around the use of social media for spreading misinformation and hate speech.
Platforms should be monitored, and coordinated efforts should be made to remove harmful content swiftly. Enhancing media literacy among the public to help them discern credible information from propaganda. Educational campaigns can empower citizens to critically evaluate the content they encounter on social media. Enforcing existing laws against spreading false information and introducing new legislation if necessary to address the specific challenges posed by digital propaganda.
Addressing the issue of digital terrorism requires a multi-faceted approach. By the improvement of digital literacy, enhancement of cyber security, maintenance of transparent communication, and enforcement of legal frameworks, the impact of such propaganda can be mitigated. Additionally, proactive public relations and engagement with civil society can help build a resilient and informed public capable of discerning truth from misinformation. The intersection of propaganda against the Pakistan Army and PTI’s protest calls highlights the complex relationship between political narratives and institutional integrity. By taking such steps, it is possible to mitigate the negative impacts of propaganda and promote a more stable and cohesive national environment.
The author is an MPhil scholar in International Relations at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi.
