On November 21, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar called for coordinated action among D-8 member states to counter misinformation, emphasizing the rapid evolution of the global information environment from print to electronic and digital media. Speaking at the D-8 Media Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, he said the forum offered an opportunity to establish shared ethical standards and strengthen responsible communication practices.
Tarar highlighted the role of Pakistan’s young population in shaping digital narratives, noting that 68 percent of the country’s population is under 30, with 117 million internet users and nearly 80 million social media users. He described the divide between digital immigrants and digital natives as a key feature of the modern era and said Generation Z has become a significant force during crises. He recalled that during the recent conflict with India, young citizens worked with media organizations and digital platforms to circulate timely and accurate information.
The minister cautioned that disinformation undermines public perception and institutional trust. He said Pakistan’s crisis management framework includes proactive information sharing, stronger national media platforms, journalist training on ethical reporting, and joint fact-checking measures. He added that the government has prioritized transparent communication and digital responsibility.
Tarar welcomed the creation of Azerbaijan’s Media Excellence Center and proposed expanded cooperation among D-8 member states through joint working groups, professional exchanges, and training on crisis reporting, digital forensics, and counter-disinformation efforts. He called for a shared fact-checking system and suggested adopting a “Baku Declaration of Media Collaboration” as a roadmap for collective action.
He also recommended establishing official D-8 social media channels to highlight economic development, counter Islamophobia and terrorism, and promote success stories from member countries. Citing reforms undertaken by Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, he noted that institutional modernization had contributed to increased revenue and public confidence.
Referring to assessments by the World Economic Forum, Tarar said global leaders consider misinformation a major challenge. He underscored the importance of strategic communication that enables societies to respond cohesively during crises. He further proposed partnerships to counter online extremism and hate speech, along with a joint public diplomacy campaign to showcase the D-8’s shared themes of peace, economic progress, and cultural diversity.
Tarar acknowledged the D-8 Secretary General for his tenure and the organization of last year’s summit in Cairo. He noted that Pakistan will assume the Secretary Generalship in January 2026 and stressed the need for a code of ethics addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, including clear labeling of AI-generated videos to distinguish them from authentic content.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with D-8 partners to enhance communication networks, strengthen crisis preparedness, and build an information environment that supports accuracy and credibility. Tarar thanked the Government of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Haider Aliyev, Hikmet Hajiyev, and the D-8 Secretariat for hosting the forum, expressing hope that the platform will serve future generations and contribute to stability and prosperity across member states.
