PTA Urges Responsible Social Media Use Amid Ongoing Border Conflict with Afghanistan

By Tanveer Ahmed :

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has called on citizens to exercise caution and responsibility when using social media platforms, warning that sharing unverified or inflammatory content could harm national interests and invite legal action.

The advisory issued Saturday comes as tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border enter their third day, with military operations continuing and misinformation spreading across digital platforms .

Official Advisory

In a statement released Saturday, the PTA advised citizens to refrain from sharing, disseminating, forwarding, or uploading any unverified, inflammatory, or misleading content that could directly or indirectly harm national interest, public order, or state institutions .

The authority encouraged users to share only authentic information based on official sources and to avoid spreading rumors and fake news . Citizens were urged to act with caution, maturity, and a strong sense of national responsibility to help maintain stability and public confidence .

The statement warned that sharing fake news or information could result in legal action under applicable laws .

Context of Escalating Conflict

The advisory follows three days of intense military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban forces. The conflict escalated Thursday night when Taliban regime forces initiated unprovoked firing across multiple sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur .

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in response, with armed forces destroying key Afghan Taliban posts and the Pakistan Air Force conducting strikes in Kandahar, Kabul, and Paktia . According to Pakistani authorities, 331 Afghan Taliban personnel have been killed, while 12 Pakistani security personnel have embraced martyrdom and 27 others sustained injuries .

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar earlier reported that 297 elements of the Afghan Taliban regime were killed in the operation .

Information Environment

The PTA’s appeal reflects growing concern over the spread of misinformation during the crisis. Both sides have engaged in information warfare, with unverified claims circulating widely on social media platforms about casualties, territorial gains, and the scope of military operations.

Officials have emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for accurate updates as the situation continues to evolve. The regulator’s statement underscores the government’s determination to maintain public order and confidence amid the ongoing conflict .

About Author