INFODEMICS IN PAKISTAN: POLITICAL POLARISATION, DIGITAL NARRATIVES, AND NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study investigates the rise of infodemics in Pakistan as a multidimensional challenge that transcends public discourse and directly
affects political stability and national security. Infodemics, characterised by the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and manipulated narratives, have become a persistent feature of Pakistan’s digital media landscape. Political parties, religious factions, and militant actors exploit social media platforms to influence public perception, manufacture polarisation, and erode institutional trust. Through qualitative analysis of political trends, digital behaviours, and institutional responses, the study demonstrates how infodemics undermine democratic legitimacy, weaken regulatory authority, and exacerbate security vulnerabilities. It argues that Pakistan’s fragmented information environment, combined with low media literacy and weak institutional communication, has created fertile ground for sustained narrative disruption. The paper concludes that confronting infodemics in Pakistan requires a coordinated state response that integrates strategic communication, media regulation, institutional reform, and civil society participation.