Sydney attack falsely linked to Pakistan without evidence: Attaullah Tarar

SLAMABAD (the c news) - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has strongly criticised the spread of misinformation, stating that the Sydney attacker was falsely linked to Pakistan without any evidence or verification.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the National Cyber Security event in Islamabad, Tarar said misinformation has emerged as one of the biggest challenges in the modern digital age. He condemned attempts to associate Pakistan with the Sydney incident through unverified claims and fake news, stressing that such narratives were circulated without facts or credible sources.

The minister underlined the urgent need to strengthen cyber security awareness across the country, noting that cyber security centres are already operational to counter cyberattacks. He added that the government is working to further enhance the National Cyber Security Policy and has taken concrete steps to improve data protection mechanisms.

Tarar emphasised that awareness and training are critical to preventing cyber threats and data leaks. He announced that a nationwide cyber security awareness campaign would be launched to educate the public about digital safety and responsible online behaviour.

Referring to recent crackdowns, the minister said several fake social media accounts had been identified during operations against cybercrime. He reiterated that Pakistan itself has been a major victim of terrorism and has made immense sacrifices in the fight against extremism.

Highlighting the misuse of artificial intelligence and digital tools, Tarar warned that fake news is increasingly being spread by manipulating content to falsely implicate individuals or countries. He called for responsible use of social media and stressed the role of journalists in combating disinformation.

He further announced that specialised workshops and training programmes are being planned for journalists and media professionals to help curb the spread of digital misinformation and ensure responsible reporting in the online space.