By Asghar Ali Mubarak
Digital terrorism is rapidly growing on social media. It is crucial for the Pakistani people to avoid participating in digital terrorism during Muharram. Implementing the country’s laws is imperative for achieving this goal. The responsibility for maintaining peace and order during Muharram lies not only with the government and its institutions but also with scholars, religious leaders, preachers, khutbahs, and the general public. Past riots during Muharram have shown that even slight irresponsibility or emotional reactions can pose a threat to peace. Pakistan is among the countries most affected by digital terrorism in the world. Social media has revolutionized communication across the country, even reaching areas with low literacy rates before basic education. Today, no sector, including the government, politics, and journalism, is immune to digital terrorism.
The recent declaration issued by the formation commanders’ conference, chaired by the army chief, explicitly mentioned digital terrorism. Its clear aim is to spread despair among the Pakistani nation and create divisions within the armed forces. Enemy forces and their supporters engage in digital terrorism through lies, fake news, and propaganda, aiming to create discord between the armed forces and the people of Pakistan. However, with the support of the nation, these efforts are thwarted. Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has labeled ongoing digital terrorism as a conspiracy against state institutions driven by political ambitions. The formation commanders’ conference paid tribute to martyrs, Pakistan forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens for their efforts towards peace and stability. During the comprehensive review of the country’s security situation, the forum extensively discussed various aspects of “determination for stability.”
It identified “determination for stability” as crucial in the strategy against terrorism and for sustainable economic prosperity in Pakistan, aiming to dismantle the terrorism nexus and illegal activities. The forum expressed concern over baseless criticisms and speculations from certain quarters regarding “determination for stability,” particularly in light of regional security challenges, including those stemming from Afghanistan, and reiterated its commitment to promoting regional peace and security. Participants of the conference condemned ongoing digital terrorism as a conspiracy aimed at fulfilling political ambitions by anti-state foreign powers. They emphasized that such actions spread hypocrisy and despair through misinformation, lies, and propaganda. Pakistan’s forces and its people are not only aware of these conspiracies but are determined and united in defeating the enemy’s malicious intentions.
The military leadership, cognizant of national challenges, works within constitutional boundaries, supported by the people, to find enduring solutions. The planners and facilitators of the May 9 incident allowed Pakistan’s enemies to mock the state and its people. There can be no compromise with those who orchestrated this dark chapter in history. Such individuals manipulated innocent people who were unaware of digital terrorism. The masterminds behind this despicable scheme of digital terrorism must be held accountable for their crimes, especially given clear evidence of their involvement. These conspiratorial elements receive support from foreign allies whose aim is to sow discord among Pakistan’s people through lies, fake news, and propaganda. Political motives and nefarious digital terrorism targeting state institutions aim to disillusion the Pakistani nation and sow division among national institutions, particularly the armed forces.
The nation is fully aware of these ambitions, and the aspirations of these “unclean forces” must be thwarted. In the first six months of this year, the Pakistan Army conducted 22,714 operations against terrorists, resulting in the martyrdom of 111 soldiers and officers, while 354 terrorists were killed. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan witnessed 1,063 terrorism incidents, with the Pakistan Army conducting 126 operations daily and engaging in anti-terrorist activities every hour. Despite these operations and sacrifices, ongoing terrorism persists due to financial support and resources provided to terrorists. Notably, on June 22, Army Chief General Asim Munir participated in the Apex Committee meeting of the National Action Plan chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. The meeting approved the “Resolute Stabilization” operation to counter militancy, focusing on intensified armed operations based on existing intelligence efforts.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
