A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to counter extremist narratives through films and dramas, aiming to reinforce Pakistan’s stance against terrorism.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s House on Friday, was attended by civil and military leadership along with representatives from all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The government resolved to expose those responsible for the Jaffar Express attack and take a strong stand against anti-state campaigns on traditional and digital media.
The National Action Plan (NAP) will be used to strengthen the national narrative, with authorities tasked to develop an active counter-narrative against terrorism and extremism.
It was also decided to prevent any content threatening national security and unity, while enhancing coordination among provinces.
To engage the youth, films and dramas will incorporate national themes to counter extremist propaganda.
Digital media will be utilized to disseminate pro-state content, tackle misinformation, and combat deepfake content with verified information.
The government will also include terrorism awareness in the national curriculum to educate future generations.
The move comes amidst a rise in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have emerged as the worst-hit provinces.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan is now the second-most terrorism-affected country, with a 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Recently, militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked the Jaffar Express, killing 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel, and taking 440 hostages. Security forces neutralized 33 attackers and rescued the hostages.