FROM 2022 to 2024, a wave of disinformation has surrounded the state of Pakistan.

Owing to economic pressures, political instability and the resulting uncertainty, a debate emerged in certain circles suggesting that Pakistan might be heading towards a crisis. This debate, however, had two distinct dimensions; (a) there has been a deliberate engineered narrative, devised to create confusion and chaos within Pakistani society with the objective of eroding public trust in the state and its institutions, (b) a casual and unintentional discourse, influenced by genuine economic challenges, social intolerance and political polarization. In both cases, these debates have generated despair, misperceptions and distrust, particularly among the youth.

It is worth mentioning that such narratives were designed to cultivate pessimism, anger and alienation among the masses. In extreme situations, this frustration could have led to public unrest, chaos and distrust between the government and society. This environment could have provided fertile ground for external actors, including rival states and intelligence networks, which seek to exploit internal vulnerabilities. Historically, this has been a well-known strategy whereby hostile forces invest in social, political, ethnic and religious fault lines to weaken states from within and advance their own strategic interests. Pakistan has experienced several such phases in its history, shaped by both domestic misgovernance and external interference. However, in every instance, these challenges were overcome through the strong ideological foundations of the state and the resilience of its people.

While it is........

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