Task force proposed to ‘check’ anti-army campaign

[Major]

ISLAMABAD: The government is mulling forming a special task force to check social media campaigns against the army, an official source told Dawn on Thursday.

He explained that a summary to set up the task force has been moved but was still awaiting approval. “For now it is just a proposal.”

The proposed task force will comprise officers from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Pak*istan Tele*communication Authority (PTA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The proposed task force will be assisted by the police and other law enforcement agencies and frame recommendations to check the misuse of social media.

The move came at a time when the government has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and its chairman, Imran Khan, of running a vilification campaign against the military.


As widening political polarisation in the country was also reflected in the digital world, several social media trends vilifying the army and its officers have been promoted in the recent past. In Aug 2022, the military expressed strong disapproval of “false propaganda and insensitive comments on social media” after six army officers were martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan. Later, the FIA constituted a team to trace and arrest those behind the campaigns.

An official of the interior ministry said eight TikTok accounts, 44 Twitter accounts and more than 50 Facebook accounts have been identified who were allegedly involved in running ‘anti army’ campaigns on social media.

Second attempt

This is the government’s second attempt to quell the army’s criticism on social media in as many months.

In Feb, differences emerged within cabinet members after a bill proposing a crackdown on social media was presented for the apex body’s approval.

During one cabinet meeting, some members observed that the law should also apply to those defaming the parliamentarians while for some, harsh punishment would be tantamount to curbing freedom of expression. The interior ministry had presented the proposal titled Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The cabinet was informed that despite the presence of Section 500 in the Pakistan Penal Code (Punishment for defamation), there was ‘a long-standing need for a separate provision to protect the judiciary and armed forces’ from scandalous and derogatory attacks.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2023

 

[Major]

Terrible stuff.

PMLN is basically going down the same dirt track that PTI made. Both these parties are going to take revenge against each other under the disguise of protecting the army. Meanwhile the army will use both parties for their own benefit.

PTI came with PECA during its time, and now PMLN is resorting to such similar dumb things. Both these parties have doomed the country.

 

[MenInG]

The mood in Pakistan is not the same any more. They need to ensure that the Army's respect is maintained - but not by such measures. We will soon become Turkey of old.

 

[Major]

The mood in Pakistan is not the same any more. They need to ensure that the Army's respect is maintained - but not by such measures. We will soon become Turkey of old.

Its funny because 2 years ago when i and other posters called out the army, pti fans were quick to label us as anti state. Dawn was bashed and pti supporters supported the army for blocking the delivery of DAWNS newspaper in certain parts of the country.

Parties and their fans need to stop acting as tools for the army. PMLN and PTI are the two sides of the same coin.

Atleast PPP fans dont bash people for not respecting the army because they know the true nature of Pakistan army, who is never loyal with any party.

Right now the situation is these anti army rhetoric is just dramaybaazi by both parties. The moment army gives pmship to any of the two parties, pti or pmln, these guys will suddenly become the puppets and give out extensions and than also pass orders where criticizing army would lead to jail time.

 

[SalimBhai]

The mood in Pakistan is not the same any more. They need to ensure that the Army's respect is maintained - but not by such measures. We will soon become Turkey of old.

Please expand. What do you mean turkey of old?

 

[MenInG]

Please expand. What do you mean turkey of old?

Army, Holy Cow.

 

[MenInG]

Its funny because 2 years ago when i and other posters called out the army, pti fans were quick to label us as anti state. Dawn was bashed and pti supporters supported the army for blocking the delivery of DAWNS newspaper in certain parts of the country.

Parties and their fans need to stop acting as tools for the army. PMLN and PTI are the two sides of the same coin.

Atleast PPP fans dont bash people for not respecting the army because they know the true nature of Pakistan army, who is never loyal with any party.

Right now the situation is these anti army rhetoric is just dramaybaazi by both parties. The moment army gives pmship to any of the two parties, pti or pmln, these guys will suddenly become the puppets and give out extensions and than also pass orders where criticizing army would lead to jail time.

You clearly do not understand the strength of feeling.

PTI has an enormous fan base and because of this, the current situation has Pakistan on the precipice of a disaster.

The anti Army thing is very real.

 

[Bewal Express]

The army is at the apex of the mafia and nothing will change that fact. PKs are being held hostage by a mafia and have no way out. No matter what these thugs try will have no impact as they have gone from loved and respected to our oppressors

 

[Bewal Express]

Its funny because 2 years ago when i and other posters called out the army, pti fans were quick to label us as anti state. Dawn was bashed and pti supporters supported the army for blocking the delivery of DAWNS newspaper in certain parts of the country.

Parties and their fans need to stop acting as tools for the army. PMLN and PTI are the two sides of the same coin.

Atleast PPP fans dont bash people for not respecting the army because they know the true nature of Pakistan army, who is never loyal with any party.

Right now the situation is these anti army rhetoric is just dramaybaazi by both parties. The moment army gives pmship to any of the two parties, pti or pmln, these guys will suddenly become the puppets and give out extensions and than also pass orders where criticizing army would lead to jail time.

The PPP are part of this govt, why are you absolving these crooks with their support of martial law. All the mafia in power but can't get jack done

 

[Major]

You clearly do not understand the strength of feeling.

PTI has an enormous fan base and because of this, the current situation has Pakistan on the precipice of a disaster.

The anti Army thing is very real.

The anti army is temporary, as soon as they throw a bone to pti, pti will claim how great pak army ia and its fans will start doing wah wah.

The anti army mantra will finish as soon as pti gets a promise by the army for a pmship again.

 

[Major]

The PPP are part of this govt, why are you absolving these crooks with their support of martial law. All the mafia in power but can't get jack done

They have a foreign minister but all the internal misnitries beling to other parties.

Ppp played its parliamentary role in the vonc. They are not really part of pdm

 

[Browncaps]

Atleast PPP fans dont bash people for not respecting the army because they know the true nature of Pakistan army, who is never loyal with any party.

Then why did you write in the other thread that zardari is the establishment?

On one side you claim here ppp is anti-army, in the other thread you say zardari is a big thug who controls and is part of the establishment.

 

[daytrader]

The anti army is temporary, as soon as they throw a bone to pti, pti will claim how great pak army ia and its fans will start doing wah wah.

The anti army mantra will finish as soon as pti gets a promise by the army for a pmship again.

It's not temporary. It's hard to gain respect once lost. PTI is not asking for PMship, just free and fair elections.

 

[Major]

It's not temporary. It's hard to gain respect once lost. PTI is not asking for PMship, just free and fair elections.

it is temporary.

remember during pti govt if we said anything about army we were told about all the army codes and how we could be violating them..

i wonder where those army codes are now?

oh right, its because pti is against them so..

 

[MenInG]

In a landmark judgment on Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) declared sedition laws as ultra vires of the Constitution as it struck down Section 12-A of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

Justice Shahid Karim announced the reserved verdict after completing proceedings and hearing detailed arguments on multiple pleas requesting to declare the sedition law null and void.

The petitioners had requested the court to strike down the said section which is not only contrary to the Constitution but also against its real essence.

ExpressTribune

 

[SalimBhai]

Army, Holy Cow.

Sorry I don’t understand your posts. Either of them

 

[gazza619]

Let me guess, a budget of Rs.1 trillion would be set aside on the task force who would be tasked to catch hundreds of thousands of people. Good stuff.

 

[Bewal Express]

They have a foreign minister but all the internal misnitries beling to other parties.

Ppp played its parliamentary role in the vonc. They are not really part of pdm

AZ paid billions to bribe the PTI MNAs. You have bloods on your hands, short term gains but long term disaster for the PPP. It is party with no ideology or narrative, it has no leadership or vision. Just seeks power to loot.

 

[Browncaps]

Then why did you write in the other thread that zardari is the establishment?

On one side you claim here ppp is anti-army, in the other thread you say zardari is a big thug who controls and is part of the establishment.

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] check this out, the coward is caught and exposed again.

 

[Stewie]

Sorry I don’t understand your posts. Either of them

He is just astounded at your ignorance. Google helps. Search for Turkey military coup of 2016.

 

[Stewie]

The anti army is temporary, as soon as they throw a bone to pti, pti will claim how great pak army ia and its fans will start doing wah wah.

The anti army mantra will finish as soon as pti gets a promise by the army for a pmship again.

There never was a mass anti army sentiment..
Maybe limited to party loyalists of PML and PPP in the past when they got dethroned by the army but the masses never ever had such a massive anti army sentiment.

My fellow Lahoris and Punjabis have traditionally been their staunch supporters but I think I don’t even have to explain how massive anti army sentiment is in punjab and lahore at the moment. It’s like our eyes have been opened. We feel embarrassed for all those years when these elite colonial era remnants and stooges and boot lickers had taken over our country and committed vile acts against our Bengali and Urdu speaking brothers. Wish we had the strength and awareness then to stand up to them and put our foot down and say NO!

But we did not and now we all pay the price.

 

[SalimBhai]

He is just astounded at your ignorance. Google helps. Search for Turkey military coup of 2016.

The Turkish military coup was all fake. Implemented by the calipha himself . To hold on to power. So I don’t know how that applies to Pakistan.

 

[Major]

There never was a mass anti army sentiment..
Maybe limited to party loyalists of PML and PPP in the past when they got dethroned by the army but the masses never ever had such a massive anti army sentiment.

My fellow Lahoris and Punjabis have traditionally been their staunch supporters but I think I don’t even have to explain how massive anti army sentiment is in punjab and lahore at the moment. It’s like our eyes have been opened. We feel embarrassed for all those years when these elite colonial era remnants and stooges and boot lickers had taken over our country and committed vile acts against our Bengali and Urdu speaking brothers. Wish we had the strength and awareness then to stand up to them and put our foot down and say NO!

But we did not and now we all pay the price.

there was always mass anti army sentiment, PTI hasnt done any miracle that they made this anti army sentiment .

lol eyes have opened? yeh maybe for the pti fans, not for the PMLN and PPP fans or even ex PPP fans.

During Bhuttos jail term, there was a massive anti army sentiment, the train marches that Bhutto did after getting out of jail were iconic moments that todays PPP tries to copy but fails. PPP is the only party in Pakistan that never needed army or foreign supporter funding for its rallies. That singly train rally which was never even planned and happened spontaneously was what threaten Zia the most and he decided during that event that Bhutto would be hanged if he doesnt run away.

When Mushraffe was in power, the massive anti army sentiment had again grown, and while the lal masjid operation was a good one, there were alot of people that were against that operation and there was again mass anti army sentiments. Especially when Benazir died PPP fans were angry enough to burn everything because the sentiment was (which is also true) that army and ISI had finally killed her.

Even the Taliban hated the Pak army soo much that Pakistan army were scared to wear their uniform and for the first time in history they were wearing civilian clothes just to save their behinds from the taliban attacks.

I am all for anti army sentiment, they have destroyed this country. But I still doubt Imran's anti army sentiments. I dont trust him. I still believe that this sentiment is for time being, if he is promised by the same army that they will give him pmship like last time, this anti army sentiment will than be over. All it will take is Imran to praise the army where he says the army has saved the country if he gets reelected and thats it.

PTI would be back to square one defending army and erecting PECA ordinances which they have done before.

Imran talked about independent institutes and an army that should not be involved in our politics many times before the 2018 elections. But what happened? All that changed when ISI and army rigged the election in his favor. And this is something they themselves admit and even PTI supporters that were working at election booths also accept.

 

[Browncaps]

The Turkish military coup was all fake. Implemented by the calipha himself . To hold on to power. So I don’t know how that applies to Pakistan.

Source for your claim?

 

[Stewie]

there was always mass anti army sentiment, PTI hasnt done any miracle that they made this anti army sentiment .

lol eyes have opened? yeh maybe for the pti fans, not for the PMLN and PPP fans or even ex PPP fans.

During Bhuttos jail term, there was a massive anti army sentiment, the train marches that Bhutto did after getting out of jail were iconic moments that todays PPP tries to copy but fails. PPP is the only party in Pakistan that never needed army or foreign supporter funding for its rallies. That singly train rally which was never even planned and happened spontaneously was what threaten Zia the most and he decided during that event that Bhutto would be hanged if he doesnt run away.

When Mushraffe was in power, the massive anti army sentiment had again grown, and while the lal masjid operation was a good one, there were alot of people that were against that operation and there was again mass anti army sentiments. Especially when Benazir died PPP fans were angry enough to burn everything because the sentiment was (which is also true) that army and ISI had finally killed her.

Even the Taliban hated the Pak army soo much that Pakistan army were scared to wear their uniform and for the first time in history they were wearing civilian clothes just to save their behinds from the taliban attacks.

I am all for anti army sentiment, they have destroyed this country. But I still doubt Imran's anti army sentiments. I dont trust him. I still believe that this sentiment is for time being, if he is promised by the same army that they will give him pmship like last time, this anti army sentiment will than be over. All it will take is Imran to praise the army where he says the army has saved the country if he gets reelected and thats it.

PTI would be back to square one defending army and erecting PECA ordinances which they have done before.

Imran talked about independent institutes and an army that should not be involved in our politics many times before the 2018 elections. But what happened? All that changed when ISI and army rigged the election in his favor. And this is something they themselves admit and even PTI supporters that were working at election booths also accept.

people who live in bubbles think what they see is the world. thats all I would say.

You can claim what you want but a vast majority of Pakistanis have always been very very pro military and support their armed forces no matter what is going on with the dirty politicians. they never seemed to care, if they did they would have come out on the streets in droves like they are right now and not because they were being fed biryanis are jalsas.. even then the numbers were nowhere close.

You can continue to believe what you will. I happen to have a lot of army officers in my family and they themselves lament their rep has never been this bad and the negative sentiment against them has never been of this magnitude.

 

[DRsohail]

there was always mass anti army sentiment, PTI hasnt done any miracle that they made this anti army sentiment .

lol eyes have opened? yeh maybe for the pti fans, not for the PMLN and PPP fans or even ex PPP fans.

During Bhuttos jail term, there was a massive anti army sentiment, the train marches that Bhutto did after getting out of jail were iconic moments that todays PPP tries to copy but fails. PPP is the only party in Pakistan that never needed army or foreign supporter funding for its rallies. That singly train rally which was never even planned and happened spontaneously was what threaten Zia the most and he decided during that event that Bhutto would be hanged if he doesnt run away.

When Mushraffe was in power, the massive anti army sentiment had again grown, and while the lal masjid operation was a good one, there were alot of people that were against that operation and there was again mass anti army sentiments. Especially when Benazir died PPP fans were angry enough to burn everything because the sentiment was (which is also true) that army and ISI had finally killed her.

Even the Taliban hated the Pak army soo much that Pakistan army were scared to wear their uniform and for the first time in history they were wearing civilian clothes just to save their behinds from the taliban attacks.

I am all for anti army sentiment, they have destroyed this country. But I still doubt Imran's anti army sentiments. I dont trust him. I still believe that this sentiment is for time being, if he is promised by the same army that they will give him pmship like last time, this anti army sentiment will than be over. All it will take is Imran to praise the army where he says the army has saved the country if he gets reelected and thats it.

PTI would be back to square one defending army and erecting PECA ordinances which they have done before.

Imran talked about independent institutes and an army that should not be involved in our politics many times before the 2018 elections. But what happened? All that changed when ISI and army rigged the election in his favor. And this is something they themselves admit and even PTI supporters that were working at election booths also accept.

If you think there was more anti army sentiment than this time before then you are clearly deluded. Social Media thing and Khan going against the crooks has opened things up. It never happenned like this . Its not on peak, ratteling the false reputations.

 

[DRsohail]

From uneducated to edcuated lots, from PMLN to PTI, PPP I will not call them a political party now but all of them even JI and JUI supporters are anti-army at this moment. what left?

 

[Bewal Express]

there was always mass anti army sentiment, PTI hasnt done any miracle that they made this anti army sentiment .

lol eyes have opened? yeh maybe for the pti fans, not for the PMLN and PPP fans or even ex PPP fans.

During Bhuttos jail term, there was a massive anti army sentiment, the train marches that Bhutto did after getting out of jail were iconic moments that todays PPP tries to copy but fails. PPP is the only party in Pakistan that never needed army or foreign supporter funding for its rallies. That singly train rally which was never even planned and happened spontaneously was what threaten Zia the most and he decided during that event that Bhutto would be hanged if he doesnt run away.

When Mushraffe was in power, the massive anti army sentiment had again grown, and while the lal masjid operation was a good one, there were alot of people that were against that operation and there was again mass anti army sentiments. Especially when Benazir died PPP fans were angry enough to burn everything because the sentiment was (which is also true) that army and ISI had finally killed her.

Even the Taliban hated the Pak army soo much that Pakistan army were scared to wear their uniform and for the first time in history they were wearing civilian clothes just to save their behinds from the taliban attacks.

I am all for anti army sentiment, they have destroyed this country. But I still doubt Imran's anti army sentiments. I dont trust him. I still believe that this sentiment is for time being, if he is promised by the same army that they will give him pmship like last time, this anti army sentiment will than be over. All it will take is Imran to praise the army where he says the army has saved the country if he gets reelected and thats it.

PTI would be back to square one defending army and erecting PECA ordinances which they have done before.

Imran talked about independent institutes and an army that should not be involved in our politics many times before the 2018 elections. But what happened? All that changed when ISI and army rigged the election in his favor. And this is something they themselves admit and even PTI supporters that were working at election booths also accept.

No there hasn't because when ever there was coup no one could care less, until this time. The reason was that the army generally overthrow a PM who was crooked and they knew they had no real support. This time Bajwa played his cards but IK is a beast on a different scale and enough people showed a willingness to fight and the boots have nowhere to hide. The amount of abuse the Generals are receiving in mehfils and everywhere else has destroyed them and any moral authority.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Its funny because 2 years ago when i and other posters called out the army, pti fans were quick to label us as anti state. Dawn was bashed and pti supporters supported the army for blocking the delivery of DAWNS newspaper in certain parts of the country.

Parties and their fans need to stop acting as tools for the army. PMLN and PTI are the two sides of the same coin.

Atleast PPP fans dont bash people for not respecting the army because they know the true nature of Pakistan army, who is never loyal with any party.

Right now the situation is these anti army rhetoric is just dramaybaazi by both parties. The moment army gives pmship to any of the two parties, pti or pmln, these guys will suddenly become the puppets and give out extensions and than also pass orders where criticizing army would lead to jail time.

They know the true nature because ZAB was launched by Ayub, and ZAB wanted a puppet COAS in Zia who eventually hanged him.

Not to mention they are responsible for the Army having this much clout. Had they held them accountable after 71 and released the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report we would not be in this mess today. However don't worry IK will put them in place after the next election.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

They have a foreign minister but all the internal misnitries beling to other parties.

Ppp played its parliamentary role in the vonc. They are not really part of pdm

They also voted to confirm Shahbaaz. Without their support Crime Minister sb does not have the votes to be PM.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

The Turkish military coup was all fake. Implemented by the calipha himself . To hold on to power. So I don’t know how that applies to Pakistan.

Nothing fake about it. The Turkish generals have been meddling in politics for decades. They believe themselves to be the guardians of a secular Turkey. They had banned parties Islamic parties, and have done many coups in the past.

Difference with the last one was the "calipha" had support among the people and the people took to the streets to protest. Many generals are still sitting in jail today for their actions in 2016.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Imran talked about independent institutes and an army that should not be involved in our politics many times before the 2018 elections. But what happened? All that changed when ISI and army rigged the election in his favor. And this is something they themselves admit and even PTI supporters that were working at election booths also accept.

in 2018 he did not have a majority, and his coalition dependent on parties like PML Q, MQM, and BAP who are controlled by the establishment. Not to mention a bunch of lotas in his party as well. So he needed to be on the same page with them, otherwise his govt was finished.

Difference is now he does not need them anymore. He will win a landslide in the next election if not rigged.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Lieutenant General Munir Afsar has been appointed as the new Chairman of NADRA. He's a three-star general with extensive experience in IT and GIS.

 

[Bewal Express]

Lieutenant General Munir Afsar has been appointed as the new Chairman of NADRA. He's a three-star general with extensive experience in IT and GIS.

Establishment is taking over everything. NAB is controlled by the thugs so that anyone that doesn't play ball gets charged, but no cases are ever brought for years. These losers have no shame or patriotism.