Tech Desk 
May 10, 2025
As the situation between India and Pakistan is becoming increasingly tense, the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has made a strong advisory against the online spread of fake news and misinformation.
The alert, NCA-25.051025, is a priority one advisory made with the objective to safeguard national harmony and public peace at this sensitive moment.
NCERT warns people about fake news.
This notice is particularly critical to media workers, social media users, and government agencies, as false news regarding military activity or border matters may trigger extreme confusion and fear.
NCERT has indicated how external enemies are employing misinformation as a "psychological weapon" to inculcate fear, erode public confidence in institutions, and mislead international audiences regarding Pakistan's stand.
The group has enumerated some of the perils of unchecked false news, including:
- Diffusion of incorrect military news, which may influence operations.
- Raising panic through rumours of assaults or evacuations.
- Splitting individuals on political, ethnic, or religious lines.
- Lessening reliance upon official updates and news media.
- Harming the image of Pakistan internationally.
- Putting national systems at risk of cyberattacks.
The advisory requests people to confirm news twice before passing it on and not to share posts that appear emotional or dramatic. It also asks journalists to stick to media ethics and report only established facts.
