Ever since Imran Khan was removed as prime minister, a malicious smear campaign has been raised against state institutions including the army. The top military brass is livid of the propaganda campaign to malign the army and create division between the institution and society.
The military has reaffirmed to uphold the Constitution and rule of law at all costs, particularly during the recent political crisis. It added that national security is sacrosanct and the army is always there to stand with state institutions. The statement is crucial as it comes days after the joint opposition succeeded in removing Imran Khan as prime minister amid rumours of falling out with the military.
For the past few days, social media has been awash with vitriol against the military and the army chief in the form of hashtag and trends. A barrage of social media trolls with anonymous/fake accounts have been involved in defaming the institution. This continued for several days until army took notice of the malicious smear campaign.
The FIA swung into action and arrested around a dozen social media activists including members of a political party. The agency has been briefed that over 200,000 tweets from 2,100 accounts have been posted against the army, while 50,000 websites have been identified in connection with propaganda campaign.
Unfortunately, many PTI supporters have been, either deliberately or unwittingly, involved in the smear campaign. While expressing their disapproval against the new government under Shehbaz Sharif, they have lashed out at the army, judiciary and other state institutions. Although the PTI has disassociated itself from the campaign, it has condemned the harassment and victimization of social media activists.
The malicious smear campaign against the military is highly deplorable and must be condemned. The army is the defender of our territorial sovereignty and has rendered immense sacrifices. Social media provides vast freedom of expression but it cannot be used to needlessly malign state institutions. Activists must refrain from being involved in any activity which could sow discord as it could affect national security and the functions of the state.
