Information Minister says propaganda aims to undermine Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability.
Information Minister Ata Tarar speaks at a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, October 9, 2025. SCREEN RECORDING/File
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday criticized what he described as a “negative campaign and propaganda” aimed at discrediting Pakistan’s role in promoting sustainable peace in the region, saying such efforts reflected the frustration of those opposed to peace.
In a statement published on X, the minister said the campaign had been launched with “malicious intentions”.
“The aim of this is to create deliberate confusion and misinformation, citing anonymous sources and officials. This unprofessional attempt to discredit Pakistan’s role for sustainable peace in the region speaks to the frustration of those who are tired of peace,” Tarar said.
For a few days now, a coordinated negative information campaign has been observed, initiated from outside Pakistan, with malicious intentions. The goal of this is to create deliberate confusion and misinformation, citing anonymous sources and officials. This…
– Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) May 14, 2026
The minister said credible national media outlets and multiple fact-checking forums had already exposed the propaganda.
“We understand quite clearly that behind such stories are certain elements, mainly anti-peace detractors, who are incapable of accepting Pakistan’s role for peace in the region as well as Pakistan’s continued and successful fight against foreign-sponsored and instigated terrorism,” the statement said.
Tarar said elimination of terrorism, resolution of disputes and prevalence of peace may not have suited those behind the campaign.
However, he added that Pakistan and its “responsible media” would continue to expose what he called the “nefarious designs” behind the coordinated effort.
ReadPakistan rejects report of Iranian jets at Nur Khan air base as ‘misleading’
“The effort and role of Pakistani media and influencers in unmasking this malicious campaign is highly commendable,” the statement added.
Although the minister did not specifically refer to any report, CBS News Earlier this week it published an article alleging that Pakistan, despite presenting itself as a diplomatic conduit between Iran and the United States, had “quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its airfields, potentially protecting them from US airstrikes.”
The report cited unnamed US officials who were said to be aware of the matter.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, categorically rejected the report, calling it “misleading and sensationalist” and stating that “such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.”
“The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and has no connection with any military contingency or preservation agreement,” the Ministry of External Affairs had said.
“Some aircraft and support personnel temporarily remained in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of fighting,” he added.
The ministry called any statement suggesting otherwise “speculative, misleading and completely removed from the factual context.”
Read also: FO reaffirms its commitment to dialogue and rejects “misleading” international media reports on regional tensions
In recent months, Pakistan has attracted international attention for its involvement in mediation efforts between Iran and the United States amid the Middle East crisis.
Last month, Pakistan negotiated a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by high-level delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12.
However, neither side could reach an agreement to end the war.
Since then, the two warring parties have been exchanging formulas and counterformulas to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks to end the conflict that has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.
