ISLAMABAD The Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) released a thorough analysis on Wednesday that showed how internet platforms have greatly widened political rifts throughout the nation.
Pakistan’s social media user population more than doubled from 31 million to 66.9 million between 2017 and 2025, significantly increasing the digital space for political activity, according to the report “Social Media Impact on Political Polarization in Pakistan.”
Political polarization has resulted from this expansion, but it has also made it possible for echo chambers, disinformation, and increased partisanship. Political players have also used social media to spread their message and disparage their rivals.
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, together with policy players, researchers, and top academics, launched the study.
The ceremony was launched by retired Lt Gen Majid Ehsan, President of IPRI, who described the increasing impact of social media on political behavior and public opinion in Pakistan.
He emphasized that although social media did not always lead to conflict, it frequently widened already-existing ideological gaps.
Supported by thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study issued a warning about the growing polarization of the political landscape brought about by the emergence of platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and X (previously Twitter).
According to the study, in order to prosecute incidents of internet defamation in court, the government should bolster libel laws.
The study makes a number of policy-oriented recommendations, including strengthening libel laws, developing effective fact-checking procedures, encouraging accountability among social media businesses, and incorporating digital literacy into school curricula.
It also promotes the creation of an indigenous social media platform to lessen reliance on international networks and design modifications to promote discussion on conflict.
The event’s speakers emphasized that politicians, religious leaders, and ordinary users all have a responsibility to engage in digital behavior responsibly, in addition to governments and platforms. They concurred that depending on how they are used, digital tools have the potential to either bring people together or drive them apart.
The research essentially provides a road map for navigating the intricacies of Pakistan’s digital public sphere, urging immediate action to guarantee that social media is a forum for thoughtful discussion rather than contentious discourse.
The study has placed a strong emphasis on encouraging responsible online conduct and user empowerment.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
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