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Fake News – A subtle Reality

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‘ExxonMobil close to hitting huge oil reserves in Pakistan, bigger than Kuwait’s,’ was something that kept the Pakistani social media users excited for a few days before the mammoth discovery turned out to be another fake news, a few years back.

With the advent of electronic media and an ever-speedy social media, the menace of fake news is posing a threat to the credibility of all mediums of media and the hazards increase many folds for a society like Pakistan, with a literacy rate hovering around 58 percent.

At one end, the culture of fake news is inflicting damage on the journalism industry, on the other end, it also serves the purpose of political forces because ‘fakeness’ has become a new alternative to performance and a tool employed to overpower the rivals.

The Birth

Though propaganda and dissemination of incorrect news against the rivals by corporate firms are in place from the decade, fake news is relatively a new phenomena and it is conjoined with the rise of social media and penetration of internet across the globe.

The term fake news was not in use to that extent just two years back, however, it made headlines across the digital media when the real estate tycoon Donald J Trump was ascending the political ladder.

It was Buzzfeed’s media editor, Craig Silverman, who first found a slew of websites promoting fake content originating from Eastern European town called Veles in mid 2016s.

Interestingly, the fake news term was coined at the same time and it has a special link with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, because most of the fakery supported him, though he opts the same term for media bashing now.

“Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President” and “FBI Agent Suspected in Hillary Email Leaks Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide” were some of the headlines that lured in Americans and paved the way for Trump’s victory over a period of few months before November 2016.

Some of the pro-Trump groups also shared such news to portray the Republican in a favorable light and Hillary otherwise, however, the same US leader has virtually declared war on fake news now.

The US leader took a strong exception to the epidemic of factually incorrect news and tweeted ‘THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR,’as 2018 dawned;45th president actually announced the names, with the in rush crashing the GOP website.

But fake news is not just limited to political arenas; it is deep-rooted in social media algorithms, advertising systems, and marketing, with the propagandists minting a lot of money.

The science behind the promotion of fake news is simple maths. The web developers design a simple web portal (basically news related), hire a few sub-editors or do it on their own, cogitate what’s hot in town, design news and post it on Facebook and other social media platforms. As the headline is catchy, shocking and surprising, the social media buffs rally behind each other to visit the page and here comes the magic.

As many and many users visit the website, so does its ratings go ballistic, with an increased share in advertisement revenues. Even if the users sense the authenticity of the story, they have already been deceived, leaving them high and dry to simply spew venom against the admin or leave a few snared comments.

Popular Fake News

One of the most recent fake news was about the former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf donating Rs 460 million to the fund initiated for the relief activities in the aftermath of the Corona outbreak.

Another fake news on the global sphere was regarding the Oil-rich Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and it was about the assassination of Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman (MBS), who, according to the news carried by Russian and Iranian media outlets, was gunned down in March 2018.

MBS has been subjected to fake news for a couple of times as a photo purporting him as dead, with King Salman among the pallbearers, was uploaded on the internet, stirring concerns in the Arab world.

Investigations have revealed that these stories were not truthful and were just to stir suspense and chaos.

What Stats Say

The rise of fake news is vividly observed in charts and datasheets devised by digital marketers and social media advocacy groups.

The crime category topped the list in 2017 followed by politics when it comes to the number of fake stories published on the internet, says a study by Buzzfeed.

The 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer delved further into the impacts of fake news and how people perceive it. As per the survey, Fifty-nine percent of people said they were unsure what they see in the media is true and what isn’t, while nearly seven in 10 said they worry about fake news being used as “a weapon.”

Is Pakistan Prone?

The scourge of fake news is plaguing West at a much rapid pace but Pakistani social media users are also being misguidedly gripped by the epidemic.

With the advent of election season, political forces used the Fake news tool and traded barbs with their foes, however, even after the conclusion of practice, there seems no end to it.

What exacerbates the misery is the fact that now mainstream TV shows are vulnerable to fake news and flash factually incorrect content on their screens.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader AamirLiaquat rebelled against his party over political grievances.

One of his statements ‘I won the elections on my own instead of Imran Khan’s [clout]’ stumped the internet and even invited comments from his fellows, however, the statement was not rooted in truth, though it was displayed by a mainstream TV channel.

When Imran Khan swept to power on a populist anti-corruption wave in the country, a mainstream news channel reported that the Saudi government has welcomed Imran Khan’s victory by displaying his image on the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, in a  flagrant contradiction with the truth.

During the times of Coronavirus we are listening to multiple fake news, one of which is Pakistani Premier Imran Khan being tested positive for the virus; this was aired in the form of a ticker by a foreign media outlet.

The list goes on…

Experts believe that the fake news syndrome is engulfing the credibility of media outlets.

Ali Raza, a renowned face in digital marketing dishes in on the matter as ‘fake news will ruin site credibility in the long run which will have serious consequences on blog authority, search and social traffic and its credibility among visitors.’

Fighting fakeness

Even though it might seem difficult, fake news can be debunked on a personal level, without having to move an inch away from the laptop and a working internet connection.

Firstly to check the authenticity of any image, upload it on Google image and a reverse search will display a couple of results. Sometimes the picture is not photo-shopped, but the caption is faulty. Google reverse image search would tell you the truth.

Fake news about renowned personalities can be checked by going through the official accounts of individuals in question. As fake news go viral about politicians and celebrities, they themselves issue clarifications through their verified pages.

Moreover, twitter can be exciting for debunking fake news. A simple Google search style search in the micro-blogging site would display results with comments by renowned Twitterati, with many of them separating the fact from the myth.

What Lies Ahead

Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms are in the hunt for propaganda websites and to debunk the fake news syndrome, however, the drive would take a few more years to be fully in place.

The best methodology to combat fake news lies under the keyboard of the reader, a bone for simple investigation can distill myths from actual happenings.

A thumb rule for fighting fake news is to develop an understanding that every “overexciting” news, be it relates to politics or art or culture or virtually to any other genre, is not true.

What needs to be done on the mega level is to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with the challenge, before any catastrophe happens on mass level owing to the same culture that has sensitized people on multiple occasions.

Fake news, has up till now, damaged merely the credibility of digital platforms but the bigger question is that are we waiting for the culture to cause physical damage and engulf humans?

Article by: Syeda Mariya Bukhari

The author is an MPhil scholar with a keen interest in sociology, psychology, literature, and arts.

Editorial

Why Pakistani Gen Z’s are admiring CJP protests in India

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Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests
This Image is Ai generated and used for Illustration purposes only.

LAHORE – Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests has taken social media by storm. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led satirical protest movement in India, has gained attention for its unique blend of humor, memes, and activism.  

Young Pakistanis are sharing clips, creating commentary, and engaging online with content from the movement. The fascination stems from a combination of entertainment, creativity, and the sense of shared frustrations with governance and opportunities that resonate across borders. 

Why Pakistani Gen Z's are admiring CJP Protests in India

This Image is Ai generated and used for Illustration purposes only.

What Is the Cockroach Janta Party? 

The CJP began as a satirical response to corruption, exam paper leaks, and systemic inefficiencies in India. Young protesters embraced the “cockroach” label—originally intended as an insult—to symbolize resilience and defiance. Videos of chants, creative placards, and peaceful sit-ins quickly went viral on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Pakistani youth were drawn to the movement because it combines activism with humor and relatable energy. The creativity of the protesters, paired with the viral content, made it more appealing than traditional news coverage. 

 

Why Pakistani Gen Z Is Paying Attention 

Shared Youth Frustrations 

Many young Pakistanis see parallels between their own struggles and those highlighted by CJP. Challenges like exam stress, limited employment opportunities, and frustration with institutions resonate with the narrative of the Indian youth movement. 

Social Media Bridges Borders 

The virality of CJP content has made it instantly accessible. Reels, memes, and short clips allow Pakistani youth to follow the movement in real-time. This digital immediacy gives them a sense of participation, even from thousands of kilometers away. 

Humor and Creativity as Protest Tools 

CJP’s unique style—combining satire, memes, and playful yet pointed activism—resonates with the Gen Z digital culture in Pakistan. Pakistani youth admire the courage and cleverness of the movement, which uses humor to critique serious issues, making activism both entertaining and impactful. 

 

Memes, Reels, and Viral Engagement 

The CJP protests exemplify how modern activism is increasingly visual and shareable. Memes, TikTok clips, and Instagram stories allow Pakistani youth to not just observe but engage with the movement. Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests is fueled by this participatory culture, where content is remixable, shareable, and interactive. 

 

Admiration or Entertainment? 

While some might argue that Pakistan’s Gen Z is merely enjoying the spectacle, the admiration goes deeper. It reflects a recognition of creativity, courage, and youth empowerment. By following CJP, Pakistani youth are connecting to ideas of accountability, digital activism, and civic engagement, even in a different national context. 

 

Conclusion: Cross-Border Youth Energy 

The popularity of the CJP movement among Pakistani youth shows how digital culture is creating cross-border solidarity. Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests highlights the influence of humor, creativity, and activism in capturing youth attention. In a world connected by social media, youth movements no longer remain confined by geography—they inspire, resonate, and engage audiences far beyond their origin. 

 

Key Points:

  • Pakistani Gen Z admiration with CJP protests is growing across social media.  
  • The CJP movement uses satire, memes, and humor to highlight corruption and systemic failures.  
  • Shared frustrations between youth in Pakistan and India fuel empathy and engagement.  
  • Social media amplifies reach, making distant protests feel personal and participatory.  
  • The movement reflects a broader trend of Gen Z valuing creativity, digital activism, and cross-border engagement. 

 

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Pakistan

All about FIA and Meta’s partnership and what it means for countering cybercrime

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ISLAMABAD – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a direct official communication channel with Meta Asia Pacific (APAC) to accelerate investigations into organised cybercrime, online fraud, hate speech, and other digital offences.

The arrangement enables secure and lawful coordination between the FIA and Meta for requests involving Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, according to officials.

Under the new mechanism, Meta has formally recognised the FIA’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) at the agency’s National Command and Control Centre (NC3). All official requests related to Meta platforms will now be processed exclusively through this designated channel.

Faster Response Times Expected

Previously, requests submitted by the FIA had to be processed through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) or Interpol, a procedure officials said could take several months. With the new communication channel in place, authorities expect response times to be reduced from months to only a few days, allowing investigators to obtain digital evidence more quickly.

Types of Requests Covered

The new framework allows the FIA to submit a range of lawful requests to Meta during investigations.

These include:

  • Preservation requests
  • Basic subscriber information
  • Account registration details
  • Login IP history
  • Content removal requests
  • Emergency disclosure requests
  • Officials said every request must be supported by the required legal documentation before being submitted.

How the New Process Works

According to the FIA, investigating officers will first prepare a case file containing all relevant legal documents and Meta account identifiers. The case will then be reviewed and approved by the Circle In-charge before being forwarded to the FIA’s Single Point of Contact at NC3.

The SPOC will submit the request directly to Meta APAC through the newly established official communication channel. Authorities said routing every request through a single authorised office will improve accountability, maintain a clear audit trail, and ensure faster processing.

FIA Says System Will Strengthen Time-Sensitive Investigations

FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar said the direct communication mechanism would significantly enhance the agency’s ability to respond to urgent investigations. He noted that the arrangement would be particularly valuable in cases involving terrorism, child exploitation, organised cybercrime, online fraud, and other time-sensitive digital investigations.

The new framework provides the FIA with a faster and more structured process for handling Meta-related requests while ensuring that all communications remain legally documented and centrally managed.

Key Points:

  • FIA has established a direct communication channel with Meta Asia Pacific (APAC).
  • The new system is expected to reduce response times from months to just days.
  • All official requests will be routed through the FIA’s National Command and Control Centre (NC3).
  • The arrangement covers Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp investigations.
  • Lawful requests include account information, login history, preservation requests, content removal, and emergency disclosures.
  • The FIA says the system will improve responses in terrorism, child exploitation, and organised cybercrime cases.

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Pakistan

Pakistani freelancers outperform earn record $1.76 billion

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LAHORE – Pakistan’s freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in foreign exchange during fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 78 per cent increase compared to $984 million recorded in FY25, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The latest figures underline the growing role of Pakistan’s freelance workforce in strengthening the country’s digital economy and increasing export earnings through global online platforms.

IT Freelancers Lead Export Growth

According to the SBP data, IT freelancers generated more than $1.16bn during FY26, compared with $779m in the previous fiscal year. The increase of 49pc, equivalent to $385m, highlights continued demand for Pakistani software developers, programmers, designers and other technology professionals in international markets.

Meanwhile, non-IT freelancers recorded even stronger growth. Their export earnings climbed to $592m during FY26 from $205m in FY25, reflecting a 188pc increase, or $387m, over the period.

Freelancers Strengthening Pakistan’s Economy

Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelancers continue to make a significant contribution to Pakistan’s economy by bringing valuable foreign exchange into the country while supporting tax revenues.

He said Pakistan’s freelancing community has rapidly become one of the country’s strongest export sectors, surpassing several traditional industries within a relatively short period. According to Amin, Pakistani freelancers are improving their livelihoods while helping create a more productive, skilled and digitally empowered workforce.

Pakistan Among World’s Largest Freelancing Markets

Industry estimates suggest Pakistan is home to nearly three million full-time and part-time freelancers, making it the fourth-largest freelancing workforce globally.

PAFLA President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Imran Batada said expanding digital skills programmes is essential to prepare young Pakistanis for opportunities on international freelancing and digital platforms. He said wider access to digital education would help reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty and further increase export earnings.

Focus on AI and Digital Skills

Dr Batada said PAFLA plans to expand its free digital skills training programmes over the coming year, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. He encouraged freelancers to move beyond project-based work by establishing startups or registered companies while continuously upgrading their skills in emerging technologies.

Dr Batada also welcomed the government’s support for the freelancing industry through favourable tax policies and skills development initiatives, saying these measures would further accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy

Key Points:

  • Pakistani freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in FY26, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.
  • Freelance earnings increased 78% from $984 million in FY25.
  • IT freelancers generated over $1.16 billion, up 49% year-on-year.
  • Non-IT freelancers contributed $592 million, recording a 188% increase.
  • Pakistan is estimated to have nearly three million freelancers, making it the world’s fourth-largest freelancing workforce.
  • Industry leaders called for greater investment in AI, data analytics and digital skills training to sustain growth.

 

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