ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday urged journalists and online content creators to avoid “sensationalizing” Pakistan’s foreign policy, warning that irresponsible commentary could create misunderstandings with friendly countries during a sensitive regional situation.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry.
Tarar said Pakistan maintains a balanced foreign policy and strong relations with Muslim countries, and cautioned commentators against presenting personal interpretations that could be perceived as the country’s official stance.
“Pakistan has its foreign policy, and it maintains a balance in terms of the relations we share with our respective Muslim countries,” he said. “Discrediting it for views and providing our own interpretations instead should be avoided.”
The minister noted that the issue should not be treated with the same dynamics as domestic political debates, stressing that commentary on international affairs requires greater caution.
“Pakistan is a responsible state and a nuclear state,” he said. “Pakistan has a role to play in this region and has its own identity and independent foreign policy.”
He warned that unverified or speculative commentary on social media, vlogs or television talk shows could lead other countries to question whether such views represent Pakistan’s official policy.
“When such things reach the rest of the world through social media, electronic media or print media, it can create uneasiness among friendly countries,” he said. “They may wonder whether it reflects Pakistan’s position or an individual’s opinion.”
Meanwhile, Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that freedom of expression in Pakistan was guaranteed under the constitution but subject to certain legal limitations.
Reading out portions of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the law minister said every citizen had the right to freedom of speech and press, but reasonable restrictions existed to protect national interests.
“These restrictions relate to the glory of Islam, the integrity, security and defense of Pakistan, public order, decency and morality, contempt of court, and friendly relations with foreign states,” he said.
He warned that commentary that could harm Pakistan’s relations with other countries or incite conflict did not fall under protected freedom of expression.
The law minister said discussions about whether Pakistan should side with one country over another in regional disputes could undermine long-standing diplomatic relationships.
“We should leave matters of foreign policy to the state and trust our institutions,” he said.
He added that while reporting facts was the media’s right and responsibility, speculative commentary on sensitive geopolitical issues could be harmful during a tense regional environment.
Both ministers stressed that Pakistan was pursuing diplomacy to ease tensions in the region and urged journalists, commentators and social media users to act responsibly while discussing foreign policy matters.
