Daily Times

Recently, I started watching a Bollywood film ‘Article 370′ on Netflix, which undoubtedly serves as a propaganda piece against Pakistan concerning Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The film portrays Burhan Wani as a manipulative figure who entices innocent girls, however this depiction is far from the truth. India consistently utilizes movies and media to disseminate propaganda and foster hatred.

In recent times, India has intensified her efforts to tarnish Pakistan’s global reputation through a coordinated propaganda campaign spanning multiple media platforms. This strategy, which leverages cinema, news outlets, and social media, aims to portray Pakistan negatively on the international stage while diverting attention from India’s internal issues. Goebbels’ statement is in fact the motivation behind Indian media’s venomous designs, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

The Indian film industry, particularly Bollywood, plays a significant role in shaping public perception of Pakistan. Almost every second Indian film depicts Pakistan as a hot-bed of terrorism and hostility, often showcasing Pakistanis as antagonists. Movies like Sooryavanshi, Gadar 2, Baby, Phantom and many more reinforce stereotypes by focusing on counter-terrorism plots with Pakistani operatives as primary villains. This cinematic portrayal extends beyond Pakistan to include negative depictions of Muslims in general. Movies such as Panipat, Padmaavat, and Samrat Prithviraaj often present distorted historical narratives that vilify Muslim characters and foster communal discord.

Joseph Goebbels said, “Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play.”

Indian media outlets, particularly the Asian News International (ANI) wire service have been implicated in spreading false information about Pakistan. An investigation by EU Disinfo Lab revealed a network of over 500 fake news sites across 96 countries, all associated with the Srivastava Group-an Indian company. Some of their websites name clearly convey their venomous intentions- Friends of Kashmir, Friends of Pakistan, Balochistan House, Balochistan Today. These sites consistently produce content aimed at damaging and tarnishing Pakistan’s reputation.

Social media platforms have also become a battleground for narrative control. India deploys coordinated campaigns on platforms like Twitter and Facebook to amplify anti-Pakistan sentiments. These efforts often exploit historical grievances, cultural stereotypes, and create toxic narratives. The intensification of anti-Pakistan propaganda aligns with the rise of Hindutva ideology in Indian politics.

This nationalist ideology seeks to portray Pakistan as a dangerous country, thereby justifying aggressive policies and diverting attention from domestic issues. India’s propaganda efforts have had tangible consequences for Pakistan. For instance, the prolonged disinformation campaign was instrumental in Pakistan’s inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, impacting economic and diplomatic standing. India’s aggressive propaganda strategy has raised concerns about regional stability. By promoting narratives that incite violence and hatred, these campaigns exacerbate tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Pakistan faces significant challenges in countering this wave of disinformation. While the government has released dossiers outlining India’s deceptive strategies to the international community, there has been limited action from global bodies. Pakistan has shown resilience in the face of these campaigns, but effective counter-strategies remain a work in progress. Initiatives like ‘AFP fact-checking and the Soch project’ aim to combat misinformation, while proposed legislation like the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023 seeks to strengthen regulatory frameworks.

India’s multifaceted propaganda campaign against Pakistan represents a significant challenge to regional stability and international relations. By leveraging various media platforms to spread disinformation and negative portrayals, India seeks to shape global opinion and advance her geopolitical interests at Pakistan’s expense. As this digital warfare continues, the need for effective counter-strategies and international awareness becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining peace and fostering understanding in the region.

Joseph Goebbels, almost a century ago said, “Think of the press (media nowadays) as a great keyboard on which the government can play.”

The writer is a graduate of QAU, PhD scholar and a freelance writer and can be reached at fa7263125@gmail.com