The Pakistan military’s spokesperson has criticised the lack of legal action against the spread of fake news, propaganda, and “digital terrorism” in the country.

“It is the country’s law that has to control and curb digital terrorism [but] unfortunately, you can see that lies, propaganda — particularly on social media — fake news and doctored images continue to spread while confusion is created in the public’s mind,” Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said at a press conference in Rawalpindi on Monday.

His press conference was centred on internal security and the overall security situation after the recent rise in terrorist attacks.

The military spokesperson added that the current laws are not being utilised effectively to curb the proliferation of misinformation on social media and other digital platforms.

“But the law is not taking its course against [digital terrorism] the way it should.”

He warned that the Pakistan Army would take legal action against anyone, regardless of their position, who is found to be involved in spreading propaganda against the armed forces or creating divisions between the military and the people.

When asked about reports of ongoing talks with a certain political party, Gen Chaudhry reiterated the military’s previously stated position on the May 9 riots, saying there has been no change and there would be no change in the stance.

DG ISPR describes BYC as ‘proxy of terrorists and criminals’

The military spokesperson has denounced the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a Baloch rights movement, as a “proxy of terrorist organizations and criminal mafias.”

He alleged that the BYC’s “so-called leadership” was tasked with defaming and spreading propaganda against law enforcement agencies.

Gen Chaudhry claimed that the group’s objective was to make development projects in Balochistan controversial and challenge the state’s authority by gathering “mobs through foreign funding and a foreign stance.”

The military spokesperson dismissed the recent Baloch National Gathering protest in Gwadar as a “drama” that was “concocted in the past few days.”

Pakistan Army intensifies counter-terrorism operations

The DG ISPR briefed the nation on Pakistan’s security situation and the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by the security forces.

“The security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have conducted a total of 23,622 intelligence-based operations, both small and large-scale, so far this year,” he said.

Over the past 15 days, 2,045 operations were carried out, during which 24 terrorists were eliminated.

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The military spokesperson emphasised that the Pakistan Army, intelligence agencies, police, and other LEAs conduct more than a hundred operations daily to combat terrorism.

While speaking about the banned terrorist organisation, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the government has recently designated the group as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” which means “mischief-making group.”

The DG ISPR stated that the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” would be used to refer to the TTP and all terrorists associated with the group would be called “Kharji,” meaning “outcasts,” as the group has no connection with Islam or Pakistan.