90% online news is fake, says Naqvi

LAHORE:

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced a sweeping crackdown against fake news, warning that social media misinformation had reached a point where "90 per cent of online news is false" and would now face coordinated action from the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the information ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) would initiate action "on a massive scale", adding that the state would no longer allow individuals to "declare a living person dead, a dead person alive, or make any allegation they please without evidence".

He emphasised that while he believed in freedom of expression and the right to criticise, these liberties did not extend to manufacturing or circulating false content. "If you have evidence, report a story. But you cannot fabricate content on social media and hide behind freedom of speech," he said.

Naqvi said mainstream journalists were part of an editorial system and responsible reporting structure, unlike those "spreading fake news" online. He added that PEMRA already acted on incorrect reporting in mainstream outlets, but social media lacked an accountability mechanism, prompting government action. He also suggested that a regulatory body for online content was "already being established".

The minister warned individuals abroad who, he said, were involved in disinformation campaigns targeting state institutions. "Those sitting out there - you are also coming back soon. If you think you will get protection here, that is not possible. You will be answerable," he said.

He added that political campaigns being run from India would expose "how far some people are willing to go", stressing that the country's integrity was a red line.

Afghan repatriation drive

Naqvi said the repatriation of illegal Afghan migrants was progressing across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan but was being obstructed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He alleged that Afghan camps de-notified by the federal government were still being operated in KP. "Our message to the KP government is simple: prioritise your country over politics. National security is not an area where a province can run its own policy," he said.

He warned that any Afghan who returned to Pakistan after repatriation would be arrested and said the federal government was considering multiple options, including legal action, to ensure KP's compliance.

Naqvi also addressed reports of passengers being offloaded at airports, saying only 50–70 people were stopped daily due to incomplete documentation. He directed the FIA to release the data to counter "agent mafia–led disinformation campaigns". "If we want to improve the ranking of our passport, action against travellers without proper documents is essential," he added.

CDF appointment

Commenting on speculation surrounding the delay in the notification of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) appointment, Naqvi said new constitutional systems could not be created "by pressing a button".

"The Constitution has been amended, a new institution is being established. A system takes time," he said.

The CDF post was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replacing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Field Marshal Asim Munir, who currently serves as COAS, is set to assume the role.

The government will determine the division of responsibilities between the COAS and CDF, including multi-domain integration, restructuring and jointness of the armed forces. Under the amended law, the COAS' tenure will restart for five years once the notification is issued.

"We will not allow fake news to create panic in the garb of journalism," Naqvi said, adding that national security and public confidence could not be compromised.