Tarar proposes a cybersecurity, social media awareness body

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday proposed the establishment of a National Cybersecurity and Social Media Awareness Council and called for mandatory labelling of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content to counter the growing threats of misinformation, deepfakes and digital security breaches.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026, organised by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under the theme “Building a Safe, Secure and Resilient Cyberspace,” he stressed the need for a coordinated national strategy involving federal ministries, provincial governments and regulatory institutions to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.

Tarar said the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content and deepfake technology had made it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish authentic information from manipulated material, necessitating stronger safeguards and greater transparency across digital platforms.

He said social media companies must ensure that AI-generated content is clearly labelled so that users are aware of the nature of the information they consume. According to the minister, TikTok was the only major social media platform that had so far made such labelling mandatory.

Highlighting the absence of a uniform digital literacy curriculum in Pakistan, Tarar called for incorporating digital literacy into the curricula of schools, colleges and universities, with regular updates to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

He emphasised that children must be educated about the safe use of social media and the potential risks associated with online activities, including threats to personal privacy and data security.

The minister also proposed establishing digital literacy cells in all government institutions and introducing specialised training programmes for public-sector officials to improve their understanding of cybersecurity threats and responsible digital communication.

Outlining the proposed National Cybersecurity and Social Media Awareness Council, Tarar said it could bring together relevant federal ministries, divisions and provincial governments to develop a coordinated approach towards cybersecurity awareness and digital safety.

He assured that the federal government and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would extend full cooperation towards the establishment of the proposed council.

The minister said the proposed body could also facilitate coordination with the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which had already begun functioning.

Referring to institutional developments, he said Pakistan’s first Digital Communication Department had been established within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen the government’s capacity to respond to challenges in the evolving digital environment.

Tarar identified the spread of misinformation as one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age, observing that the rapid expansion of social media had complicated efforts to develop effective regulatory frameworks.

He warned that even a single click could expose citizens to privacy violations and unauthorised access to their personal data, underscoring the importance of sustained public awareness campaigns.

He said cybersecurity awareness initiatives should not be confined to a single week but should form part of a continuous national effort involving government institutions, educational organisations and digital platforms. He also advocated targeted awareness campaigns for different segments of society instead of adopting a uniform communication strategy.

He said messages should be tailored to specific audiences and delivered through appropriate formats, adding that micro-influencers could play an effective role in communicating digital safety messages to particular communities.

Tarar stressed that raising public awareness must be accompanied by practical mechanisms to address citizens’ digital security concerns.

He appreciated the efforts of the PTA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in policy formulation, regulation, implementation, and public awareness, describing their contributions as important for strengthening Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026