The Center for Law and Security organized a webinar on Tuesday, 2nd November 2021 on countering disinformation campaigns and way forward. Lt. General (Retd.) Ghulam Mustafa,  Mr. Taimur Malik, Founder of Courting the Law, Mr. Owais Tauheed, Senior print and broadcast journalist and Mr. Rehman Azhar,  Executive Director, Centre for Law and Security participated in the discussion. The session was moderated by Mr. Abdul Aziz Bhurgri, Research Associate, Centre for Law and Security.

Mr. Owais Tauheed began the discussion by discussing the seriousness of disinformation campaigns especially in the context of Pakistan. He discussed the disinformation campaigns started by India to bring disrepute to Pakistan. He spoke about the need to raise awareness regarding disinformation campaigns. Mr. Taimur Malik emphasized on the need for an international treaty and an international forum regarding state sponsored disinformation campaigns similar to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Rehman Azhar discussed how India has very consistently used disinformation campaigns in order to achieve its strategic objectives. Lt. General (Retd.) Ghulam Mustafa said that Pakistan needs to create a strong narrative regarding disinformation campaigns by India at international forums. He discussed the need for capacity building in order to identify future disinformation campaigns.

Lastly, Mr. Abdul Aziz Bhurgri announced the release of Centre for Law and Security’s newest publication ‘Regulating Disinformation Campaigns under Pakistan’s domestic legal framework’. The report shall be released on the Centre for Law and Security’s official website and social media platforms.