ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has described misinformation and fake news as among the biggest challenges of the modern era, stressing the need for stronger digital literacy and public awareness to tackle the growing threat.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, Tarar said digital literacy should be incorporated into the national education curriculum to help people identify misleading information and use online platforms responsibly.
He stressed that content generated through artificial intelligence (AI) must carry mandatory labels to distinguish it from authentic information. He also highlighted the growing challenges posed by deepfakes and AI-generated material, warning about their potential misuse.
The minister proposed establishing a National Cyber Security and Social Media Awareness Council to strengthen efforts against online misinformation and improve public understanding of digital threats.
He said tackling cybercrime and the misuse of social media required continuous efforts, coordinated strategies and greater awareness among internet users.
Tarar also highlighted the need to educate children about the risks associated with social media and teach them how to protect themselves from unsafe online activities.
He said the Ministry of Information had established a Digital Communication Department as part of efforts to strengthen its communication and digital outreach capabilities.
The minister further announced that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had started functioning and would also support the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in addressing cyber-related challenges.
He emphasised that developing public awareness, improving digital education and strengthening institutional coordination were essential to dealing with misinformation, cyber threats and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
