ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday termed the use of disinformation and misinformation in situations of foreign occupation and conflict as “highly concerning,” obscuring human rights violations and demonizing lawful struggles for self-determination, said a statement by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations.
The remarks were made by Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Usman Jadoon while delivering a national statement during the 48th session of the Committee of Information (COI).
Jadoon stated that false narratives are deployed to obscure human rights violations, demonize lawful struggles for self-determination, and silence affected populations.
The statement said that Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the misuse of digital platforms to amplify falsehoods, deepen polarization, and target vulnerable communities.
“The persistence of hate speech, racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia in the digital space is particularly alarming, often translating into real-world harm,” said the statement.
Highlighting the profound transformation of the global information ecosystem, Jadoon observed that while technological advancements have expanded access to information, they have also accelerated the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech at an “unprecedented scale.”
Simultaneously, he cautioned that these trends undermine public trust, social cohesion, and the credibility of multilateral institutions, including the UN, as per the statement.
Jadoon stressed that “timely, accurate, and impartial communication” is particularly critical in the current context of geopolitical tensions, polarization, and widening inequalities.
He emphasized the “constructive role” of information, stating that it must serve as a bridge for dialogue and cooperation rather than as a tool for manipulation, division, or repression, the statement added.
While addressing emerging technological challenges, the ambassador highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence and generative technologies.
He noted their transformative potential and the risks they pose to information integrity if misused, as per the statement.
He also underscored that the global response must be both “comprehensive and balanced.”
He called for respect for diverse cultural, legal, and social contexts in developing global frameworks on information integrity, cautioning against selective or uneven application, as per the statement.
He emphasized the need for the restructured DGC to further strengthen its coordinating role in UN strategic communications, ensuring coherence, credibility, and accessibility across the system, it added.
The representative also underscored the importance of multilingualism in ensuring inclusive communication and supported efforts to expand content across languages and regions, it said.
The ambassador also called for “structured engagement” with major technology companies, noting their significant influence over global information flows and the UN’s important role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation in this domain.
He added that Pakistan stands “ready to work” constructively with the DGC and all member states to promote an information environment that is truthful, inclusive, and respectful of human dignity
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