Atta Tarar cautions against undue online debates on foreign policy

ISLAMABAD, Mar 10 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday urged all stakeholders to refrain from unnecessary social media debates regarding the country’s foreign policy.

Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister of State for Interior
Talal Chaudhry, he called on citizens to prioritize national interest over digital engagement and monetization.

The minister emphasized that Pakistan maintains close, fraternal relations with regional and Islamic countries, including Iran and multiple Arab nations.

He highlighted a concerning trend where vloggers and social media users post sensational interpretations of international relations to derive ‘views’ and financial gain.

He warned that such speculative content is dangerous, as foreign entities often misinterpret private media commentary as official state policy.

Tarar clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains the central authority for communicating Pakistan’s official stance, supported by regular briefings from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.

He noted that while domestic politics allows for a high degree of criticism, foreign policy must be handled with extreme sensitivity and isolated from local political friction.

The minister further stated that even he is duty-bound to stick strictly to the official state narrative when addressing
foreign affairs.

Acknowledging the role of responsible journalists who understand geopolitical landscape, he reiterated that personal interpretations for social media “clicks” could jeopardize Pakistan’s strategic relations.