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PTI involved in spreading misinformation: officials

Our Correspondent
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek--Insaf (PTI) has been found once again engaged in spreading misinformation, making exaggerated claims about missing persons, with figures ranging from 500 to even several thousands.

According to the government authorities, these assertions, widely circulated on social media, have caused unnecessary concern and confusion among the public. However, a thorough investigation into PTI’s claims has revealed significant discrepancies.

For instance, on 8th of January, 2025, through their official handle, the PTI provided a list of 34 alleged missing persons to the media, but verification efforts have yielded falsification of missing persons by the party.

Zeeshan s/o Naveed, Abdul Basit s/o Shoaib, Hashim s/o Arif and Hassan s/o Shoaib, mentioned in the list, were all arrested by Islamabad Police and kept at PS Kohsar; later released. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Awais Marwat s/o Atta Ullah (FIR No 714/24, PS Margalla), Hadayat s/o Alam Jan (FIR No 1195/24, PS Karachi Company), and Khalil Ullah s/o Khanam Khan (FIR No 544/24, PS Secretariat) are on judicial remand.

Despite PTI’s persistent efforts to substantiate their claims, the remaining names provided by them do not exist in official records maintained by Nadra and law enforcement agencies. This further solidifies the fact that PTI’s assertions are baseless and misleading, contributing to the spread of fake news and disinformation.

The continuous dissemination of such false information by the PTI underscores a pattern of creating chaos and unrest. Authorities urge the public to verify all information through official sources and avoid being misled by such deceptive tactics.

The government authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparency. Official statements emphasise that no person is held unlawfully, and due legal process is followed in all cases.

Moreover, the government has urged media outlets and the public to exercise caution and verify information from credible sources before sharing unverified claims, as PTI’s false allegations have significantly damaged reputation of state institutions, such as law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, by portraying them as unjust and unaccountable.

These baseless claims have fueled unnecessary public unrest, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty, which disrupts social stability and diverts attention from genuine national concerns.

Likewise, the repeated dissemination of misinformation wastes valuable government resources that are allocated to verifying and debunking these unfounded accusations, straining the capacity of relevant departments.

Additionally, the spread of such false narratives damages Pakistan’s global image, as they can mislead international audiences and negatively influence foreign perceptions of the country’s governance and human rights situation.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant against misinformation campaigns and seek information from legitimate sources to avoid being misled by politically motivated disinformation.

The authorities will continue their efforts to dispel fake news and take necessary legal action against those involved in spreading false information that threatens national security and public order.