- Probe exposes nexus between banned JAAC and India: Tarar.
- Says payments for anti-Pakistan content came from India.
- Minister says banned JAAC working to undermine Kashmir cause.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday confirmed that a suspect was arrested by security agencies some time ago for running an India-linked digital influence campaign.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the information minister said that the person was providing digital marketing services, adding that investigations revealed that the digital services provided by the suspect had links with India.
He said that payments for promoting anti-Pakistan content on social media were made from India, Radio Pakistan reported.
The minister further said the investigation uncovered a network of bot farms being used to spread misinformation and amplify content targeting Pakistan, its sovereignty, the government, the armed forces, and state institutions.
Tarar said the suspect disclosed during interrogation that a significant portion of the content he received was related to the activities of the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Kashmir.
The information minister said that the probe exposed the banned JAC’s nexus with India.
He said the banned JAAC had been working to undermine the Kashmir cause and weaken the relationship between the people of Kashmir and Pakistan.
Tarar further said the committee had no connection with the interests of the Kashmiri people or the Kashmir cause, adding that if its members were sincere, they should participate in the democratic process by contesting elections.
The information minister said violent protests by the group resulted in the martyrdom of Kashmiri police personnel and created a law and order situation in AJK. He added that the group’s activities have links with India and that the government possessed irrefutable evidence in this regard.
Tarar said the people of Kashmir have rejected the politics of violence and conspiracy, demonstrating that the relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir can neither be broken nor weakened.
He said investigations into the arrested suspect were continuing and stressed that countering misinformation is the government’s responsibility.
The minister highlighted that Pakistan remains a strong advocate of global peace and, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s dignity and international standing have been further enhanced.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan would continue its journey of progress and development.
