Independent Report – November 27, 2025
Lahore: Director General of the Pakistan Institute of Development (PID) Lahore, Shafqat Abbas, has stressed that students equipped with media literacy, critical thinking, and digital verification skills can effectively curb the spread of false narratives and ensure truth prevails over propaganda. He urged universities and colleges to integrate digital awareness and ethical communication into their learning environments.
Shafqat Abbas made these remarks while addressing a seminar on “Peace Diplomacy in the Era of Digital Extremism” organized by PID Lahore at the Department of Media Development and Communication, Punjab University. The seminar saw enthusiastic participation from students and featured speeches by Assistant Professor Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq and senior journalist Mohammad Dilawar Chaudhry.
Highlighting the evolving nature of modern conflicts, the PID DG noted that battles today are increasingly fought in digital spaces, where narratives are distorted and perceptions manipulated even before physical confrontations occur. He cited recent regional incidents, emphasizing how misinformation and fake videos can spread faster than verified facts, influencing public sentiment significantly.
Senior journalist Mohammad Dilawar Chaudhry added that combating digital extremism requires verifying information, broadening one’s knowledge, and ensuring content is not shared without confirmation. Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq highlighted the widespread use of social media platforms in Pakistan, citing 66.9 million TikTok users, 55.9 million on YouTube, and 49.4 million on Facebook, warning that misinformation today poses a greater threat than traditional weapons. She stressed the urgent need to equip youth with digital literacy skills.
The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session and presentation of shields to the guest speakers in recognition of their contributions.
