Daily Times

I frequently advise my readers through my column that the current era is the age of social media, and it has become a tool where the amalgamation of truth and falsehood is intricate.

It is exceedingly challenging to discern what is true and what is not. Social media has become a weapon containing a mixture of truth and lies. Identifying the truth amid this amalgamation is an arduous task. Moreover, through social media, anti-state elements are active, propagating baseless propaganda against Pakistan and its institutions. These entities operate both militarily and civilly, injecting hostility into the minds of our Pakistani brethren.

At times, they disseminate venomous propaganda against the parliament, and at other times, they unfoundedly speak against the military.

These institutions are not only military, but also civilian and foreign groups are active through social media; spreading unfounded propaganda and opposing Pakistan and its institutions.

Recently, a fake and unattributed foreign ID was created: spreading propaganda and misleading people.

Identifying the truth amid this amalgamation is an arduous task.

In my column, I am compelled to mention that the identity behind the political party’s fake foreign ID has been revealed. This revelation occurred on December 3, 2023, when a false public poll was conducted through this fake account. The purpose of this survey was to prove other political parties as enemies and target a political leader.

The false impact was attempted to be given in this poll issued through the fake account that people view Pakistani politicians negatively.

The profile picture of this fake foreign account also turned out to be false, originally belonging to another American citizen named Jens Busch. I am limited in providing further details because this could harm the reputation of an innocent individual.

A political party is making persistent unsuccessful attempts to give a false impression through this fake unattributed foreign ID, trying to gain international support. It suggests that all other political parties have lost confidence on the international level, and the state of Pakistan is also unable to counteract the foreign influence of this political party. Thus, an attempt is being made to show this political party larger than the state itself, and the public needs to open their eyes to see who is challenging the security of the state.

Now, if I analyze the posts made through this false “John Barkis” ID before discussing the poll created by this account, let me tell you about the account. The “John Barkis” account was created in 2017, consistently sharing tweets supporting a political party and its leader. I’m not revealing the name of this political party and its leader because people already know which political party and leader are continuously advocating aggression against their supporters.

The “John Barkis” account’s posts were mainly limited to sharing tweets in support of a political party’s leader on social media. The account was engaged in retweeting and quoting tweets, emphasizing the support for the political leader. It is noteworthy that all the verified followers of John Barkis’ account were linked to the same political party. All those holding blue tick accounts of this political party were following Mr John Barkis. The rest of Pakistan is unaware of who this so-called Mr John Barkis.

Furthermore, numerous social media accounts associated with this political party are spreading false propaganda through fake accounts, attempting to present positive impacts related to the political party. In the past, numerous fake social media accounts associated with this political party have come to light, and many fake retired army officers, government officials, and Human Rights Organization names have been used to create fake accounts. We have seen that even during the Quetta Commander’s martyrdom and the Lasbela helicopter crash incident, many fake accounts associated with this political party were caught spreading false propaganda.

Therefore, legal action against all such fake accounts and elements spreading propaganda is necessary. This is because the country has already suffered from such baseless propaganda in the past.

However, the most crucial aspect is that the supporters of this political party need to open their eyes and understand how an attempt is being made to show an individual larger than the state; challenging Pakistan’s security. Hence, along with institutions, it is now crucial for the public to wake up, so that elements like these, detached from national politics, can be countered and positive democracy can be promoted.

He writer is an old Aitchisonian who believes in freedom of expression, a freelance columnist, entrepreneur and social activist.