he difference between reality and falsehood has grown disturbingly hard to tell at a time when information travels faster than ever before. False or misleading content — known as misinformation — has become a serious worldwide problem. It also has serious consequences for Pakistan. The country’s low internet literacy, unstable political climate and highly fragmented social fabric make it especially vulnerable to manipulation. This vulnerability also threatens the integrity of the society, the safety of its people and the democratic institutions. The stakes are high for Pakistan as it negotiates this issue.

Marked by a significant rise in internet and social media use, Pakistan’s digital scene has changed dramatically in recent years. This fast growth presents both risks and opportunities for millions of people. The speed of this expansion has greatly surpassed the evolution of the abilities required to critically evaluate the deluge of information now available. Research indicates that only a small percentage of Pakistanis bother to check the veracity of ‘news’ before disseminating it. This exposes the public to the fast spread of lies. The effects of this vulnerability are far-reaching. These include politically driven smear campaigns that create conflict and false stories that have sparked mob violence, endangering lives and upsetting communities.

Experts warn that unchecked misinformation might seriously damage Pakistan’s already weak democratic system. Lies outpacing truth causes trust, the foundation of any society, to crumble. This can cause great harm in political, social and economic domains.

A lack of universal media literacy lies at the core of Pakistan’s disinformation crisis. Unlike some countries that have included digital literacy into their education systems, Pakistan has not prioritised the teaching of critical thinking or the tools needed to separate reliable information from falsehoods. This lack of education across all demographics leaves people ill-equipped to negotiate the complexity of the digital age.

The difficulty is especially great in rural areas where literacy levels are generally low. Often without any official direction, many people first meet the internet via inexpensive smartphones. Thrown into a hectic digital world, they have no way to tell credible sources of information from false ones. This exposes them to a lot of false information. Urban regions are not exempt from the risks, even though the literacy levels are somewhat better. Millions of citizens rely on information received from social media sites — including some notorious for spreading lies — as their main news sources. Many of these platforms are designed to value engagement over accuracy. This makes them a fertile ground for conspiracy theories, altered images and propaganda.

Cultural habits aggravate this sensitivity. Many people in Pakistan tend to believe that the extent of information determines its trustworthiness. Too often, content that becomes popular —whether from authoritative sources, religious leaders or viral postings — is accepted without question. Deeply embedded in society norms, this lack of scepticism makes the population especially vulnerable to manipulation since it is not usual to challenge the truth of widely circulated information.

The contentious political scene of Pakistan has made false information a potent tool of influence. Digital platforms are used by political parties, intelligence services and elite power brokers to create new narratives, undermine opponents and shape public opinion. Social media thus resemble a war zone for false material, including altered films and audio clips that can spark conflict among followers of rival political leaders. This trend was highly prominent in the 2024 general elections. Though ultimately disproven, fake news propagated quickly and in many cases left lasting impressions on unsuspecting populations.

State-sponsored false information can complicates the matters even more. When false allegations of treason or immorality are made and spread by means of organised campaigns, sometimes supported by automated accounts and hired influencers, they can significantly influence public opinion simply by the brute force of volume and repetition. Apart from domestic players, international meddling can cause unforeseen difficulties. Pakistan’s geopolitical rivals are now known to have used all kinds of strife in the country to further their strategic goals.

Amplifying false information using social a media platform is not too hard. In many cases the algorithms these sites use are meant to prioritise sensational, emotionally charged material above sober, accurate news. This emphasis leads to echo chambers in which users are given material confirming their prejudices. This tends to intensify polarisation.

Sometimes financial motives too drive dissemination of misinformation. Driven by advertising income, content producers create exaggerated or false narratives that engage more people than factual news. Automated accounts and bots aggravate this dynamic by artificially increasing the visibility of false information, giving it an air of validity. A lie repeated over thousands of tales starts to resemble fact and ingrains itself in the public awareness.

In Pakistan, the social cost of false information is significant. It amplifies current divisions and undermines the prospects of harmony. No wonder, political tribalism has reached unparalleled heights as adherents of rival factions devour completely different accounts of events, making meaningful discussion almost impossible. Religious and sectarian tensions have also grown as false charges against minority groups — often disseminated with malicious intent — spark violence with catastrophic effects.

False statements regarding vaccines and treatments spread widely during the Covid-19 epidemic and undercut public health initiatives. Some of those caused thousands of avoidable deaths. Economically, unfounded rumors — such as a recent false claim of a bank’s collapse — have sparked panic and upset markets. These events draw attention to how false information can flow across society endangering national stability as well as personal well-being.

One of the most concerning effects of false information is its ability to provoke bodily harm. False claims, usually spread via messaging applications, have ignited mob lynchings and riots across. Fabricated accusations of blasphemy or ethnic violence have resulted in deaths as lies become lethal catalysts of brutal violence. These incidents highlight the rapidity with which digital gossip transforms into actual catastrophe.

Tackling this issue calls for a strategy starting with education because it is the most efficient long-term protection. Including digital literacy into school courses will enable future generations to critically assess material, spot prejudice and appropriately negotiate online environments. Public awareness campaigns — run via readily available platforms such television, radio and social media — could help people become more cautious regarding unconfirmed material. Early attempts in this regard have shown positive outcomes, hence lowering the probability of people spreading lies.

Fact-checking projects need to be scaled up and properly funded to fight false information in real time. Often accused of promoting spectacular lies, legacy media are under increasing pressure to follow more rigorous ethical guidelines.

Technology businesses have a lot of responsibility, too. More openness about how algorithms give material priority is absolutely necessary. Community-driven solutions allowing people to report false information can help Pakistanis have an active part in fighting lies and build a group defence against the malaise.

Pakistan is at a crossroads. Unchecked spread of false information threatens lives, erodes democracy and runs the risk of aggravating social divisions. The most powerful defence against this danger is an educated people who can tell truth from lies.

The writer is the central information secretary of the Awami National Party. He can be reached at anpspox@gmail.com