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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced plans for a crackdown on a "massive scale" against fake news on social media, saying the majority of news circulating on social platforms was false.
"You cannot just post any news you like on social media and make accusations against anybody," he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
The federal government, in coordination with the Information Ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), will initiate an action against fake news on social media, Naqvi added.
"Someone sitting in London is talking nonsense, claiming there are issues within our institutions. Others are speaking about our [army] generals and posting their photos. There is a need to put an end to it," he said.
"To those sitting outside, let me tell you — very soon you are coming back. We will bring you here, and you will have to answer for everything."
On the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, the interior minister stated that the government was carrying out the operation with great success in three provinces.
In a message to undocumented Afghans, he remarked, "You were once our guests. But you now have to leave respectfully on your own."
Naqvi said that illegal Afghan nationals were being given protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
"No province can run its own policy on matters of national security — we will not allow it," he added
Naqvi also rebuffed speculation regarding the delay in issuance of the notification of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) — a top military post created under the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment — saying that creation of a new system cannot be done simply by "pressing a button".
"[...] let these people speculate for a few [more] days. Changes have been made to the Constitution, and a new institution is being established. They [rumour mongers] believe such things can be done simply by pressing a button. When a new system is established, it takes time," the security czar said.
"Those who are minting money out of this [speculations regarding CDF appointment] — let them," the interior minister quipped.
