In a decisive move to combat the spread of misinformation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the swift development of a dedicated web portal to ensure the dissemination of accurate and verified information to the public.
The initiative, aimed at strengthening transparency and public confidence—especially during emergencies—assigns each provincial department the responsibility of providing real-time updates on the portal. This platform will serve as a centralized and reliable source for official news related to the Punjab government and its activities.
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Secretary of the Home Department, Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, has instructed the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) chairman to launch the portal within 24 hours, treating it as a top-priority project due to recent disinformation incidents.
Additionally, the Punjab government is considering the formation of special emergency funds to manage potential wartime or crisis scenarios more effectively. A proposal regarding the establishment of dedicated funds for the Internal Security Wing is being prepared for Chief Ministerial approval.
This initiative follows a recent incident where a false security alert about an explosion near the Wagah Border circulated widely on social media. The fabricated alert, wrongly attributed to Lahore’s Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa, falsely claimed military intervention, numerous casualties, and advised evacuation of several neighborhoods, including DHA Phase 8, Askari 11, Paragon City, and Green City.
Authorities swiftly debunked the fake advisory, confirming that no such incident had occurred. The Deputy Commissioner’s office urged the public not to trust baseless rumors and assured that any legitimate emergency notifications would be issued through official and verified channels, reaffirming their commitment to public safety.
