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LAHORE, Nov 27 (APP):Director General PID Lahore Shafqat Abbas has said that students can play a vital role in curbing the spread of false narratives and ensuring that truth prevails over propaganda by equipping themselves with media literacy, critical thinking and digital verification skills.
He stressed that universities and colleges must integrate digital awareness and ethical communication into their learning environments.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Peace Diplomacy in the Age of Digital Extremism”, organized by PID Lahore at the Department of Media Development Communication, Punjab University, on Thursday. Assistant Professor Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq and senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry also spoke on the occasion, while a question-and-answer session allowed students to engage directly with the speakers.
Shafqat Abbas said the world is now confronting a new kind of conflict that begins in the digital sphere rather than on traditional battlefields. Narratives are distorted, facts manipulated and perceptions weaponized long before any physical conflict begins. He noted that within minutes of the Pahalgam attack and the May tension between Pakistan and India, India launched a coordinated digital propaganda campaign. In such circumstances, where misinformation and fake videos spread faster than verified facts, it becomes crucial to empower youth with media literacy so Pakistan’s voice and truth can be conveyed globally in a timely and credible manner.
Senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry said that society must acknowledge its own mistakes, emphasizing that individuals sharing content on social media are responsible for what they disseminate. He said extremism begins when people attempt to impose their ideas and beliefs on others by force. He urged students to verify information, expand their knowledge and avoid sharing unverified content. Educational institutions, especially media departments, can play a key role in creating awareness, he added.
Dr. Ayesha highlighted that people increasingly rely on social media rather than credible sources for information. She pointed out that 66.9 million Pakistanis use TikTok, 55.9 million use YouTube, and 49.4 million use Facebook. She said misinformation and disinformation have become more dangerous than conventional weapons in today’s world, making it necessary to discuss ways to tackle this growing threat. She added that although young people have mobile phones, a lack of digital literacy remains a major concern.
At the end of the seminar, shields were presented to the guests. A large number of students from the department attended the event.