Mohsin Naqvi announces social media crackdown

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that around 90 per cent of news circulating on social media is fake and it cannot be allowed that anyone posts whatever they want.

He warned that action will now be taken against the spread of false information online.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Naqvi said that when incorrect news is aired on national media, PEMRA issues a notice, but on social media anyone can upload an image and run any news they wish.

“This is not acceptable — you cannot just post anything as news on social media,” he said.

He said those spreading fake information are not journalists. “As a journalist, I believe in freedom of expression, and it holds importance — but freedom of expression does not mean allowing fake news,” he stated, adding that a crackdown on false reporting on social platforms will begin soon.

Commenting on individuals abroad, he said some people sitting in London are spreading baseless claims about issues within state institutions.

“Let me tell those sitting outside — you will all be returning soon. You will come back and answer for everything,” he said.

On Afghan nationals in Pakistan, Naqvi said that illegal Afghan residents are being repatriated, and the process is underway in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. However, the government is facing difficulties regarding their return from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said Afghan nationals are being given protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but there will be no compromise on the repatriation policy. He urged Afghan residents to return to their homeland with dignity.

Naqvi said Afghan citizens were involved in the suicide attack in Islamabad and that several recent attacks were also linked to Afghan individuals. “We cannot tolerate any more bombings,” he said.

He said that by 17 September, 400,000 Afghan nationals had been sent back through the Torkham border. “Now, any Afghan who attempts to re-enter Pakistan will be arrested,” he warned.

The minister reiterated that there will be no politics on matters of national security, and no compromise will be made on issues concerning the country’s safety.