Social media is now deemed as a foundation of communication, influence, and public discourse in the digital age. X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok have been transformative to the societies of the world. According to the latest 2024 figures from Pakistan, and it is no surprise that there are over 71.70 million active social media users in the nation, suiting the population of this region, it makes Pakistan the ground zero for the digital revolution. But this influence has two sides. Social media may provide unprecedented opportunities in terms of connection and awareness, but it is also a battlefield of misinformation, manipulation, and deeply polarizing narratives.

More than 60% of Pakistanis have encountered fake news on social media, eroding public trust in institutions.

Pakistan’s social media ecosystem has a large sway over public opinion, more so in political narratives. X and Facebook have become arenas for good and bad discussions alike. Recent studies show that more than 60 percent of Pakistanis have accessed fake and misleading information on social media, disrupting the public’s confidence in institutions and widening social divisions in politics. However, with these worrying statistics, we should urgently implement regulating measures and sensitize the public.

The use of social media for political orientations is one of the concerns that needs a quick solution. These platforms are often used by political campaigns and movements to deepen their reach in such attempts, and behind it is the expansion of hate speech, misinformation, and misleading content.

Despite its distinctive problems, Pakistan has turned into a trailblazer for mishandling Facebook and Twitter. More than 40 million users became the target of government-launched media literacy initiatives. These efforts intend to provide citizens with the skills to assess online information critically and to communicate about it responsibly. This approach is necessary not only for regulation but also for empowerment. The strategy of Pakistan also includes holding social media platforms liable for allowing harmful content. Pakistan is applying the frameworks used by the European Union (EU) and the United States to make it transparent and less susceptible to manipulation.

The social media manipulation issue is not exclusively restricted to Pakistan. Even Germany, France, and Norway have also raised concerns on platforms such as X. More than 60 German universities and research institutions also boycotted X over the increase of radicalization on the platform. The EU is also probing X on content moderation practices as fears for its political neutrality grow.

Elon Musk was one of the most controversial figures during this debate and was criticized worldwide in how he has been managing X. Musk is accused of meddling in local affairs by allowing narrative manipulation, according to Norway, Germany, and France. His proprietary content moderation—or lack of one—has stirred questions about unchecked tech moguls and billionaires’ contributions to world politics. This is aggravated by the growing phenomena of hate speech and online threats. Nearly 30% of digital abuse occurs in Pakistan alone, as social media platforms are a hot base for it, which means it is in dire need of being strictly regulated.

Pakistan has launched media literacy initiatives targeting 40 million users to combat misinformation and digital manipulation.

These challenges notwithstanding, Pakistan has made efforts to fight misinformation and regulate harmful content, efforts which have been acknowledged. The country’s strategies are being adopted or followed in the Western countries based on the proactive approach the country has shown for which it has gained international recognition. Pakistan’s experience is useful to other nations trying to wrench themselves off this path and shows that overarching approaches backed by regulation, accountability, and public education work.

Above all, an important part of Pakistan’s strategy is the participation of the military and political leadership. Social media manipulation has been repeatedly pointed out by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as a pressing issue and one that rolls out education of the masses and the world. The seriousness of Pakistan’s commitment to crack down on this issue is being reflected in this coordinated effort between military and civilian institutions.
Although Pakistan has made a lot of progress, there is still much to be done.

The battle to fight off social media manipulation is one of a long, winding road, which demands constant adjustability based on new technologies and new tactics of new generations. However, to get to this point, fact-checking needs to be strengthened, algorithms should become more transparent, and working with the international community cannot be overlooked.

Furthermore, it is necessary to ask the bigger question of how powerful tech giants are on the world stage of politics. Elon Musk is not the only one to face controversy for their actions, and the world needs global frameworks to rein in the power of such figures. Otherwise, democratizing institutions will be crashing ever faster without these measures, primarily due to the unchecked influence of tech moguls.

Germany and France are considering adopting Pakistan’s regulatory measures against social media misinformation.

To increase the ongoing success and tackle the persistent challenges facing them, Pakistan can take the following actions:

• Partner with global organizations to build solid fact-checking systems to counter falsehood effectively.
• Strengthen Algorithm Transparency: Platforms should have to share their content moderation algorithms and maintain fairness with whom content is disseminated.
• Expand current initiatives to include rural and underprivileged areas to promote media literacy and arm every citizen in the circumstances of the digital landscape.
• Create Foster International Collaboration: Cooperate with the EU and other countries to spread the best practices and establish common rules on social media regulation.

Pakistan’s social media strategy is a first for the world in tackling misinformation and digital manipulation. With a combination of regulation, public education, and accountability, Pakistan has set an example for the world.

Pakistan’s military and political leadership have identified social media manipulation as a national security concern.

That Pakistan’s leadership in this area enhances its potential as a global influencer in the digital age is further supported by the fact that other nations, such as Germany and France, are considering adopting similar measures. However, that recognition of Pakistan’s efforts is a major step toward creating a safer and transparent digital landscape for all.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.