Information Ministry & NCCIA Launch Massive Crackdown on Fake News in Pakistan – Naqvi Announces New Action Plan
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced a major move to counter the fast-growing problem of fake news across social media. According to the government, more than “90% of social media news is fake” and now the Information Ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will jointly take “massive-scale action”.
This decision has created huge discussion across Pakistan because millions of people rely on social media for updates, news, and political information. In this detailed article, we explain what Naqvi announced, how the crackdown will work, who will be targeted, what new rules will come, and what this means for journalists, vloggers, political activists, and social media users.
Why the Government Decided to Act Against Fake News
Fake news has become a major problem in Pakistan, especially during political events, public campaigns, terrorism incidents, and emergency situations. According to Interior Minister Naqvi:
- Fake news is creating panic
- False claims are damaging national institutions
- Social media is being misused for propaganda
- Individuals are spreading news without evidence
- People are posting fake deaths and false allegations
Naqvi said that Pakistan respects freedom of expression, but freedom cannot mean “destroying reputations or creating panic”.
Key Announcement: Massive Crackdown by Information Ministry & NCCIA
Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the Information Ministry and NCCIA will jointly start strict action against fake news. He said:
“We will not allow you to spread fake news across the country in the garb of journalism.”
This operation will be nationwide and include monitoring of:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- X (Twitter)
- WhatsApp groups
- Political pages
- Anonymous accounts
- Vloggers and influencers
The government will identify accounts spreading misinformation and act against them under cybercrime laws.
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Who Will Be Targeted in the Crackdown?
The crackdown is not aimed at journalists, Naqvi clarified. It targets:
1. People spreading fake news intentionally
Anyone sharing false information without verification.
2. Anonymous social media pages
Pages that hide identities and spread propaganda.
3. Fake reports about national institutions
Especially false news about the army, police, or government organizations.
4. Fake death announcements
A common trend on social media where users declare someone dead without confirmation.
5. Unverified political allegations
Accusations made without proof or solid evidence.
Who Will NOT Be Targeted?
Naqvi clearly said the crackdown is not against journalists. According to him, real journalists are:
- Reporters working in mainstream media
- Employees working under editorial supervision
- People who follow ethical journalism
- Those who verify information before publishing
He said freedom of expression will not be affected, but fake news will not be tolerated.
How Will NCCIA & Information Ministry Take Action?
The Cyber Crime Agency and Information Ministry will take the following steps:
1. Monitoring of Social Media Platforms
Advanced tools will be used to track:
- Fake photos
- Edited videos
- Artificially generated content
- Fake accounts
- Misleading posts
2. Verification Mechanism
Content will be checked for:
- Source authenticity
- Supporting documents
- Witnesses or credible reporting
- Misinformation indicators
3. Reporting System
Citizens can report:
- Fake stories
- False allegations
- Propaganda posts
4. Legal Action
Those found guilty may face:
- Arrest
- FIR
- Heavy fines
- Removal of content
- Blocking of accounts
5. Coordination With PEMRA
If mainstream media runs false news, complaints will go to PEMRA for action.
Social Media Content Creators & Vloggers – New Responsibilities
Naqvi said social media influencers must:
- Verify news
- Confirm claims
- Avoid fake allegations
- Avoid panic-creating posts
- Avoid unverified death news
- Use credible sources only
He also said:
“Whether you produce vlogs or a podcast […] run news responsibly.”
This means vloggers and podcasters will now face the same responsibility as professional journalists.
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Political Angle: Reference to Campaigns from Abroad
During the press conference, Naqvi mentioned “a political party running a campaign from India”. He did not name PTI but indirectly referred to Imran Khan’s sisters giving interviews to Indian channels.
He said people working with “enemy states” will be exposed.
Naqvi also gave a warning to individuals abroad who criticize Pakistan’s institutions:
“Those sitting out there… you are also coming back soon.”
This indicates that the crackdown may also target overseas Pakistanis running controversial political campaigns.
Criticism Against Pakistan Army – Government’s New Red Line
Naqvi strongly said the state will not tolerate:
- Propaganda about Army Chief
- False claims about institutions
- Fake stories about generals
- Edited photos or misinformation
He clearly stated:
“We will not spare them.”
This highlights that false news against the army is the government’s top focus.
Afghan Migrants Issue – Second Major Topic of the Press Conference
At the beginning of the press conference, Naqvi discussed Afghan migrants. He said:
- KP is not fully cooperating
- Camps were supposed to close but many remain open
- Afghan involvement in recent terrorism incidents is increasing
- SHOs will identify and locate illegal Afghans
- Illegal Afghans must “leave respectfully”
He warned that returning to Pakistan illegally will result in arrest and strict action.
Passenger Offloading Controversy – Naqvi’s Clarification
Many travelers complained on social media that FIA is offloading passengers without cause. Naqvi clarified:
- Only 50–70 people are offloaded per day
- These individuals had incomplete documents
- Social media is exaggerating this issue
- Agents are misleading travelers
He said this action is necessary to improve Pakistan’s passport ranking worldwide.
CDF Notification Delay – Naqvi’s Response to Speculation
There has been a lot of speculation on social media about the delayed notification of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
Naqvi responded:
- A new constitutional institution takes time to establish
- Social media should not panic
- System and legal process cannot happen “at the press of a button”
He emphasized that misinformation about this issue is misleading the public.
What This Crackdown Means for Pakistan
1. Social media will face strict regulation
Disinformation campaigns will be more risky.
2. Vloggers and TikTokers must verify news
Otherwise they may face action.
3. Political propaganda accounts may be targeted
Especially those operating from abroad.
4. Citizens must be careful before sharing
Unverified posts can now lead to legal trouble.
5. Real journalism may become more responsible
As the government promotes evidence-based news.
Public Reaction & Concerns
Many citizens support this decision because fake news has caused:
- Panic during emergencies
- Misinformation during elections
- False death announcements
- Character assassination
- Misleading political campaigns
However, others are concerned that:
- The crackdown might limit freedom of expression
- Vloggers may face harassment
- Political criticism may be restricted
The government insists the action is only against fake news, not criticism.
Conclusion
The government of Pakistan has taken a firm stance against the growing problem of fake news on social media. With the Information Ministry and NCCIA joining forces, a nationwide crackdown will soon begin. While journalists and freedom of speech will be respected, the government has made it clear that misinformation, false allegations, and propaganda will no longer be tolerated.
Social media users, vloggers, pages, and political accounts must now act responsibly and verify information before posting — because the era of unregulated fake news in Pakistan is coming to an end.
FAQs – Crackdown on Fake News by Information Ministry & NCCIA
1. What action is the government taking against fake news in Pakistan?
The Information Ministry and NCCIA will take strict nationwide action against people spreading fake news on social media. This includes monitoring accounts, verifying posts, and taking legal action against those sharing misinformation.
2. Will journalists also be targeted in this crackdown?
No. The government says the crackdown is not against journalists. Only those spreading fake or unverified news will face action. Professional journalists following editorial rules will not be affected.
3. What platforms will be monitored for fake news?
All major social media platforms will be monitored, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X (Twitter), WhatsApp groups, and anonymous political pages.
4. What punishment can someone face for spreading fake news?
People spreading fake news may face legal consequences such as fines, FIRs, arrest, account suspension, or the removal of content under cybercrime laws.
5. How can users avoid getting into trouble under the new rules?
Users should verify all news before sharing, avoid posting unconfirmed information, and rely on credible sources. Sharing false allegations, edited photos, or fake updates can lead to action.
