India’s Disinformation Campaign: Policy Options for Pakistan

By Shahwana Binte Sohail

In today’s digital media landscape, India’s Disinformation Campaign against Pakistan is perhaps the biggest testimon of how disinformation and propaganda have emerged as powerful tools for advancing ideological, political and military objectives. In the context of Pakistan’s geopolitical tensions with India, there has been deliberate and targeted disinformation campaigns by India against the country. On June 21, 2024, Ambassador Munir Akram’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) high-level debate on cyberspace threats highlighted a systematic and state-led disinformation campaign aimed at maligning the image of Pakistan. He reported that “Pakistan, among other countries, has been a victim of such campaigns.” Akram referenced the  “Indian Chronicles,” report by EU DisinfoLab, that exposed a massive network of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), think tanks, and false media sites. The report highlighted anti-Pakistan propaganda involving over 10 fraudulent NGOs, 750 fake media outlets, and 550 fake websites. Some even use the identities of deceased individuals. During the meeting, Ambassador Akram called for global attention to the findings of the EU DisinfoLab and emphasized the need for developing methods to prevent such acts.

The report highlighted anti-Pakistan propaganda involving over 10 fraudulent NGOs, 750 fake media outlets, and 550 fake websites

On January 30, 1971, the separation of East Pakistan was perhaps a result of an Indian disinformation campaign apart from other factors. Indira Gandhi used the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) generate hostility engineering the hijacking of the Fokker aircraft named Ganga from India to Lahore. The Indian authorities claimed that Hashim Qureshi and Ashraf Butt, two Kashmiris  freedom fighters were responsible for hijacking an Indian aircraft and Pakistan was accused  by New Delhi of the hijacking of the aircraft . The primary goal of the hijacking was to stop Pakistani aircraft from traveling from east to west Pakistan. By using a false flag operation, Indian Airlines was able to continue operating, though it had to take a longer route via Colombo, Sri Lanka. It led to frequent supply shortages for the Pakistani forces, causing Pakistan to split into two regions, and East Pakistan emerged as Bangladesh.

More recently, India’s Disinformation Campaign was used to influence the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) against Pakistan. India has rendered disinformation campaigns not only on social media but also publicly.  On July 18, 2021, at a virtual training event for leaders of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar admited to his leaders that“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list.” Keeping in view the Indian strategic mindset, such campaigns will continue. To combat India’s disinformation campaign, Pakistan needs to take considerable measures. Firstly, Pakistan should improve its cyber security infrastructure extensively.

More recently, India used disinformation campaign to influence the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) against Pakistan. India has rendered disinformation campaigns not only on social media but also publicly

A proactive strategy for identifying disinformation needs to be provided with specialized cyber intelligence units charged with ongoing monitoring and analysis of internet content. Digital forensics should be employed by these groups to track down the sources of disinformation and gather proof to confirm the sources and techniques. Pakistan can provide real-time detection and analysis, enabling quick responses to emerging threats, by investing in innovative methods and technologies.

Secondly, to combat disinformation at grassroots levels, Pakistan should improve media literacy. To educate its younger generation about the negative impact of media is crucial. It is essential to teach them how India uses media campaigns to tarnish Pakistan’s image internationally. The new generation should be taught to recognize and avoid biased media campaigns against Pakistan and instead work towards promoting a positive image of the country.  Pakistan should integrate media literacy programs into the educational system.  

The new generation should be taught to recognize and avoid biased media campaigns against Pakistan and instead work towards promoting a positive image of the country.

To successfully counter India’s disinformation efforts, Pakistan should augment its counter narrative to effectively address Indian disinformation campaigns. It should ensure that its narrative is robust enough to counter these campaigns and protect Pakistan’s image from being negatively affected.

Pakistan should put more effort into producing its own content rather than using foreign films, TV shows, and cartoons in order to spread nationalistic ideas and keep anti-Pakistan propaganda out of the hands of viewers, particularly the younger generation. Pakistan produces less than 50 films a year, while India produces over 700. Supporting the development of Pakistan’s film industry and making movies about notable historical figures and events, such as Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, will help reduce this gap.

Supporting the development of Pakistan’s film industry and making movies about notable historical figures and events, such as Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, will help reduce this gap.

Pakistan should focus on placing its national heroes and culture in various international electronic and print media houses, as well as academic and research centers abroad. This would help the nation to stay informed about disinformation campaigns and work towards promoting a positive image of Pakistan.

Conclusively, Pakistan faces a persistent threat from state-led disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining its image, as highlighted by Ambassador Munir Akram and exposed by the EU DisinfoLab’s “Indian Chronicles” report. These campaigns, which include manipulating cultural perceptions and influencing international bodies like the FATF, have far-reaching impacts on Pakistan’s global standing. To counter these efforts effectively, Pakistan needs to take proactive actions to combat Indian Disinformation Campaigns.

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Shahwana Binte Sohail is a Research Assistant at the Centre for International Strategic Studies Islamabad. She holds a BS in International Relations.