ISLAMABAD -UNS: The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges Islamabad. The meeting was chaired by Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan.
The Committee strongly condemned the Indian attack on Pakistan which resulted in the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives.
Chairperson Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan expressed concerns regarding the threatening messages she received via phone, Facebook, and Gmail. She referred to a speech wherein she strongly condemned the false accusations made by the Indian government following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir that claimed the lives of innocent tourists. Her speech was later cited in an article published by the Hindustan Times. She emphasized that a cyber-war is currently underway, with the Indian government actively attempting to create and disseminate a false narrative through social media. In modern warfare, narratives play a crucial role, and social engineering attacks can inflict more damage than conventional military operations.
The chairperson underscored the urgent need to foster national unity and social cohesion to effectively counter this hybrid warfare. The committee members expressed their solidarity with the frontline defenders who are confronting the enemy’s cowardly actions, particularly the targeting of civilians by India.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the committee agreed that Pakistan is in a state of war that necessitates collective patriotism, national unity, and societal resilience. It was recommended that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to launch a public service awareness campaign to inform and educate the general public on the on-going cyber threats and the importance of unity.
The Committee showed strong solidarity with the armed forces and families of the martyred.
The meeting was attended by Senators Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Dr. Muhammad Humayun Mohmand, Anoosha Rehman, Manzoor Ahmed, and Gurdeep Singh.
