Pakistan Highlights Role of Disinformation in Undermining Freedom Struggles at UN

In a significant statement at the United Nations, Pakistan has highlighted the pervasive use of fake news and disinformation tactics to undermine legitimate freedom struggles around the world. This declaration was made by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, during the general debate of the 46th Session of the Committee on Information at the UN Headquarters in New York. According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ambassador Munir emphasized the critical role of information manipulation, including internet blackouts, censorship, and stringent media laws by certain authorities, in delegitimizing freedom movements and perpetuating fear, intimidation, and violence. He particularly referenced the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir as examples where such tactics have been prominently observed. The session, chaired by Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, also addressed the concerning t
rend of digital media platforms being used to target minority communities. Ambassador Munir described this as a dangerous act of weaponizing information against minorities, which severely undermines their political freedoms and human rights. Ambassador Munir called on the member countries of the Committee on Information to unite against Islamophobia, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and the negative stereotyping and stigmatization that often proliferates through digital channels. He advocated for the promotion of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and interfaith and intercultural harmony. Moreover, he underscored the necessity for a multilateral Code of Conduct to protect information integrity on digital platforms and highlighted the importance of establishing international guidelines to defend women’s rights in digital spaces against gender-based discrimination and online harassment.