The federal government has allocated an additional Rs. 2 billion to combat the spread of fake information targeting state institutions. This decision was made during an Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
According to a statement from the finance ministry, Rs. 1.945 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Defence to counter disinformation campaigns. Officials highlighted the growing concern over the deliberate dissemination of fake news aimed at undermining state institutions for political purposes.
Army Chief General Asim Munir has previously stressed the importance of addressing such propaganda and holding those responsible accountable.
The ECC was informed that Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) is central to tackling false narratives. To enhance its capabilities, ISPR requires technological upgrades to counter advanced disinformation tools effectively.
The ECC approved Rs. 2 billion for immediate use, with Rs. 1.22 billion designated for technology upgrades and Rs. 723 million for cyber security enhancements. The recurring annual cost of Rs. 1.6 billion for these initiatives will be included in the next fiscal year’s budget.