On August 1st 2022, Pakistan met with a great national tragedy as a military helicopter carrying Pakistan Army’s high level officers along with crew crashed in Baluchistan due to a technical fault. This was an unfortunate incident wherein Commander 12 Crops Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali, Maj Amjad, DG Coast Guards Brig Khalid, two pilots, and the crew chief were martyred. They were actually visiting highly flood-affected areas where Commander 12 Corps was supervising relief operations carried out by armed forces to help and rescue stranded people. While returning from the visit when they were near the Hub dam when suddenly their helicopter developed an unforeseen fault leading to such an unfortunate incident.
Entire nation mourned this loss as it took 3 days for security forces to locate the wreckage of ill-fated helicopter. While the nation, victims’ families and the institutions were going through tough times, some elements from within Pakistan initiated a vicious propaganda against the armed forces and those who lost their lives in this tragic crash. The reaction from all quarters of society on this malicious social media campaign was very harsh, and it was condemned by all factions of society and by the families of Shaheeds and, of course, by the national security institution. This campaign was organized and carried all the signs of politically motivated partisan social media trend.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) department had to issue a strong statement in this regard which categorically rejected the ongoing social media campaign on the helicopter crash incident. The families of martyrs were hurt due to this campaign which is being run through fake social media accounts. ISPR has given a strong rebuttal against this campaign.
But this campaign has generated many questions which we all must ponder upon. Most important question is from where these conspiracy theories are coming, who is doing such propaganda? This must be investigated and culprit must be dealt with iron hand.
The press release of ISPR has defined some of the people who are doing this propaganda. Preliminary investigation has revealed many flaws in our collective approach to deal with fake news and disinformation. It has been seen that in Pakistan, people keep sharing the material on social media without verifying it without realizing how damaging it can be for our country and its vital national interests.
In his statement, DG ISPR Gen. Babar Iftikhar expressed his grief on these developments on social media. “All institutions and families of martyrs were going through pain after this unfortunate incident and it took three to four days for the burial of martyrs with honor. After the incident, certain circles started derogatory propaganda and gave insensitive comments on social media which were very heartfelt because families of martyrs, institution, and the entire nation were going through a tough time.”
In his statement, he made it clear that the nation is standing behind their brave armed forces.
“Delivering such comments on social media was very insensitive which hurt the entire institution, its rank and file, and especially the families of martyrs. It was important to convey this message that the entire nation is standing and supporting Pakistan Army, and we thank the nation for this.”
DG ISPR also highlighted the role of Pakistan army in current flood crisis in many parts of the country.
“Pakistan Army is busy serving the country day and night due to this support and will never step back from performing this duty.”
Furthermore, he insisted that nation must reject all anti-armed forces propaganda. “We need to work on the things which start coming on social media. We need to collectively reject those elements who are involved in these things. Such actions are unacceptable and should be condemned at each level.”
Such campaign can only encourage hostile entities who want to damage the strong bond of love and affection between Pakistanis and their brave armed forces. Everyone in our society has a role to play in order to defend the honor and dignity of our heroes, soldiers, shaheeds and the armed forces. Our national character depicting unity, faith and discipline must be the first line of our deterrence against the ill-intended hostile forces who wants to harm Pakistan by sowing the seeds of deceit, mistrust and discord among the society. Armed forces, political parties and, common Pakistanis are all part of this nation and national unity must be our ultimate goal so that we can thrive and prosper in every field of life!
