Pakistan plans to set up a National Cyber Security and Social Media Awareness Council within about two weeks, the information and broadcasting minister said on Thursday. The body would coordinate efforts to improve digital literacy and protect citizens from online dangers.
The minister put forward the proposal at the closing session of a Cyber Security Awareness Week seminar in Islamabad. He called for a joined-up, year-round response to cyber threats, misinformation and the risks linked to fast-changing digital technologies.
Council structure and government backing
He said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) could lead the initiative. Federal ministries, government divisions, provincial governments and relevant organisations would sit on the council.
The government would fully support its creation, he said, and suggestions could be sought from different stakeholders to shape its work. “We can announce this council so that we can make our future generations safer,” he said, adding that the announcement could come within a week or two.
Digital literacy curriculum and targeted awareness
The minister argued that Pakistan needs a comprehensive digital literacy curriculum covering schools, colleges and universities. Universities already research misinformation and build fact-checking tools, but he said the country has no unified syllabus that can be adapted to each stage of education.
He wants digital literacy made compulsory and education programmes updated as technology advances. He also proposed that every organisation in Pakistan set up a digital literacy cell and that government officers and bureaucrats receive relevant training.
Broad mass-awareness campaigns, he said, are no longer enough to counter the risks posed by social media. He recommended messages aimed at specific audiences, delivered in suitable formats and carried by micro-influencers.
Calls for AI labels and warnings on scams
The minister called for regulatory frameworks requiring social media platforms to label content generated using artificial intelligence, so users can identify synthetic material. He said TikTok was the only platform to have made AI labelling mandatory for its content, and urged authorities to write the requirement into Pakistan’s regulatory framework.
He highlighted financial scams, deepfakes and online privacy risks as areas needing greater public awareness. He warned that a single click could expose users’ personal information to platforms, and said social media’s rapid growth had outpaced the country’s ability to build effective rules.
Linking cyber agencies and development partners
He said Pakistan’s cyber security and social media institutions are still evolving to meet emerging threats. He named the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection and Regulation Authority (SMPRA), arguing that a coordinated mechanism could strengthen their work alongside the PTA and relevant ministries.
He also acknowledged the role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the PTA in policy development, regulation, implementation and public awareness. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he said, has set up a Digital Communication Department and is working with the Ministry of Information Technology and the PTA, while holding talks with social media platforms.
The proposed council would bring these efforts together under a whole-of-government approach, the minister said. It would also help ensure cyber security awareness continues throughout the year rather than being limited to occasional campaigns.
