Shehbaz for crushing anti-state propaganda on social media

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed the need for crushing the anti-state “venomous propaganda” launched through social media as he described rooting out terrorism and “evil” from Pakistan as a national duty.

He also said the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be launched by the end of current month.

Read more: China backs Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, CPEC 2.0

Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister said those involved in propaganda on social media against state institutions must be wiped out completely.

For rooting out this “evil”, Shehbaz said one had to identify those present in the country and abroad.

The prime minister said Pakistan had to reinforce relationship with the United States and the strategic partnership with China which, he added, became an economic and military power.

In this connection, he cited the example of a document signed with a US company for extracting and processing critical minerals in Pakistan.

Read more: Pakistan, US sign MoU on critical minerals, rare earths

BILLIONAIRES SHAPING PEOPLE’S OPINION

These remarks are very important given the world we are living in now. France is the latest example where a protest is being held on Wednesday with a call to “block everything” — shut down businesses and services.

Meanwhile, it started by group on Telegram last week. Currently, it is the top trend in France on Facebook, X and TikTok.

And on Wednesday, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, said in a post on X that he was proud the French were using his social media platform for strikes and protests. 

Proud that Telegram is a tool for protests in France against Macron’s failed policies. After 8 years of neglect, people are done with empty PR and posturing – and they’re striking back.

— Pavel Durov (@durov) September 9, 2025

“Proud that Telegram is a tool for protests in France against Macron’s failed policies. After 8 years of neglect, people are done with empty PR and posturing – and they’re striking back.”

On the other hand, this acknowledgment it again shows how the big companies and social media platforms are manipulating the people and influencing the governments.

Meanwhile, Durov is a billionaire who under probe in France under different charges.

Previously, he was arrested in Paris on his arrival at airport in August 2024 as part of a broader judicial investigation launched 2024 into alleged criminal activities facilitated on Telegram platform.

The charges revolve around facilitating organised crimes including facilitating drug and arms trafficking, distribution of child sexual abuse material, money laundering and refusal to cooperate with authorities.

Four days after his arrest, Durov was allowed to leave France although the probe is still in progress.

PROUD OF OUR MARTYRS

During his address, the prime minister also paid glowing tributes to Maj Adnan who embraced martyrdom a day earlier after being injured during in the operation that followed the terrorist attack on the Federal Constabulary (FC) compound in Bannu.

“We should be thankful of our martyrs,” he remarked.

CPEC 2.0 COMING SOON

The prime minister said Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was scheduled to visit China on September 26 where the two sides would announce the launch of CPEC 2.0.

Read more: China eyes mining cooperation with Pakistan, CPEC upgrade

China and Pakistan would have 85 per cent and 15 per cent share respectively in the investment related to CPEC 2.0.