Pakistan’s army chief warns of ‘perils of fake news’ in meeting with Harvard students

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir met a delegation of Harvard Business School (HBS) students on Thursday to discuss militancy and Pakistan’s efforts in battling it, warning them against the “perils of misinformation and fake news” in today’s digital age, the military’s media wing said. 

Pakistan’s powerful army has toughened its stance against criticism on digital media, with its military spokesperson this month accusing “digital terrorists” of attempting to politicize its efforts against militancy. The term was a veiled reference to the party of former prime minister Imran Khan, whose leaders and supporters have attacked the military on digital media platforms since Khan’s ouster from office in a parliamentary vote in April 2022. 

Digital rights activists this month also spoke out against the government’s move to install a firewall that would allow it to monitor malicious content on social media, protect government networks from attacks, and allow authorities to identify IP addresses associated with what it calls “anti-state propaganda.” Rights activists have also criticized the government for its ban on social media platform X since February, which authorities say they imposed due to “national security” reasons. 

Munir met a delegation of 44 students of the HBS from nine countries at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. It said discussions revolved around regional peace and stability, and Pakistan’s efforts to battle militancy. 

“The COAS also cautioned against the perils of misinformation and fake news in the digital age, urging the students to navigate this landscape with discernment,” the military’s media wing said. 

The army chief stressed the significance of education, critical thinking, and innovation in addressing contemporary security challenges during his interaction with the students, the ISPR said. 

“He highlighted Pakistan’s vast potential and encouraged the attendees to form their own opinions based on personal experiences,” the military’s media wing said. 

The ISPR said that the interactive session provided a platform for the army to share perspectives on Pakistan’s pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, its unwavering efforts against terrorism, and its commitment to upholding democratic values.

The students expressed their gratitude to the army chief for facilitating a “constructive and enlightening interaction,” the ISPR said. 

The government’s attempts to muzzle social media have also been sharply criticized by Khan’s political party. The former cricketer-turned-politician’s popularity, which persists even from behind bars, has been fueled by social media, including driving Pakistan’s young people to turn out to vote in Feb. 8 elections. 

Khan-backed candidates won the greatest number of seats in the polls despite having to contest as independents after the PTI was deprived of its iconic bat symbol by the election commission.