The word terror is derived from the Latin expression ‘terrore’ means ‘to frighten’. The terms ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’ were used during the period of the French Revolution. According to the US Terrorism Research Centre, “Terrorism constitutes the illegal use of force to achieve a political objective when innocent people are targeted. There are many types of terrorism, which include Religious terrorism, Political terrorism, Ethnic terrorism, Coercive terrorism, Nuclear terrorism, Multinational terrorism, Urban terrorism, and Anarchist terrorism. With the introduction of 5th Generation war and the speedy development of technology, a new type has been added, which is Digital Terrorism.
Digital Terrorism is the use of computers, mobile phones, satellite phones and digital equipment to impose one’s will, influence, and shape public opinion to get a political objective through rumours, disinformation, misinformation, fake news and negative narratives.
During recent Marka e Haq, the Indian media disseminated fake news and still Indian government and media continue to spread misinformation and propaganda. India is using its mainstream media and social media for spreading fake news, propaganda and disinformation. Different themes and narratives are pushed to malign the state of Pakistan, the Pakistan Armed Forces and its institutions. The Indian media and RAW are using disgruntled Pakistanis who are on their payroll for propaganda purposes. It was 2019 and 2020 when EU Lab (Brussels-based) uncovered a network of 750 fake media outlets in more than 116 countries propagating content critical of Pakistan. The main objective was to influence the European Union and International organisations against Pakistan. The Sandford Internet Observatory (SIO) also unearthed an Indian social media campaign spreading fake news and propaganda against Pakistan.
In Pakistan and abroad, there are YouTubers, Vloggers, pseudo-intellectuals and social media brigades of political parties who are involved in spreading fake news and pushing anti-army narratives. They are running a smear media campaign against the institutions with false and insulting narratives, creating hype by spreading propaganda. They are also involved in inciting the public against the institutions, dividing the rank and file and sharing stories which are detrimental to national security. The majority of YouTubers have political affiliations that propagate their narrative against the institutions, and they are helped by shadow accounts that share and forward their content. The Indians are happy as they welcome and boost such anti-army vlogs, stories and posts on social media.
The COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir has vowed to defeat the designs of inimical forces which have unleashed digital terrorism. Field Marshal Asim Munir frequently quotes a verse from Al Hujurat on the importance of investigation and verification of information. The Quran says, “O you who believe, if a fasiq person comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done”. In Surah Al Baqarah, the Quran says, “Say (O Muhammad) produce your proof if you are truthful”. Digital terrorism is an open war against Pakistan and its Institutions with the objective of destabilising the country. During the recent riots in the UK, the government announced that “the offence of incitement to racial hatred involves publishing and distributing material which is intended to or likely to start racial hatred. So if you retweet that, then you are republishing that, and then potentially you are committing another offence”.
The parliament has passed the PECA amendments bill to the country’s cybercrime laws. The amendment includes the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which regulates unlawful online content. The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offence punishable by three years in prison. The government has also formed the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to safeguard the digital rights of the people and counter propaganda and rumours. There is a need to promote public awareness on this important issue faced by the country. The important thing to understand is that as a nation, we must not fall prey to propaganda by anti-state elements, which is polluted with hate and conspiracy theories.
Masud Ahmad Khan
The writer is a retired brigadier and freelance columnist. He tweets at @MasudAKhan6