ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved additional funding to combat the spread of disinformation targeting state institutions. On Monday, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) authorized the allocation of Rs 2 billion to address this growing concern. The funding aims to support efforts to counter malicious campaigns and bolster the effectiveness of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
| Allocation | Amount | Purpose |
| Counter fake news and disinformation | Rs2 billion | Combat the spread of disinformation and support ISPR’s counter-efforts |
| Settle debts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit | Rs746 million | Cover outstanding costs from the SCO summit |
| Technology upgrades, including cybersecurity | Rs1.22 billion | Improve defense systems and enhance cybersecurity measures |
| Ongoing defense upgrades (to be incorporated into future budgets) | Rs1.6 billion | Strengthen military and defense capabilities |
The ECC’s decision follows concerns raised by military officials, including General Asim Munir, about the need to punish individuals spreading propaganda and false narratives. The ISPR is actively working on countering these threats, with plans for technical upgrades to meet emerging challenges.
Additional Allocations and Financial Approvals by ECC
It was brought to the attention of the ECC that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) was actively working to dispel misinformation regarding government agencies. A progressive technical upgrade of the ISPR Directorate to match hostile technologies is imminent, in order to keep up with expanded requirements and accomplish assigned tasks, the ECC was informed. To further fortify their systems, the military has requested a one-time cost of almost Rs2 billion and an annual budget of Rs1.6 billion.
Nonetheless, the ECC has allocated Rs2 billion right once, with the remaining Rs1.6 billion to be included in the normal budget and approved before the next budget announcement in June. The finance ministry has authorized a budget of Rs1.22 billion for technology upgrades and Rs723 million for cyber security measures out of the total budget of Rs2 billion.
In addition, the ECC authorized a budget of Rs746 million to settle outstanding debts related to the October 2024 SCO summit, which includes paying for both domestic and international media as well as security.
According to the finance ministry, the information ministry put out a plan to settle the unpaid bills from the 2024 Korean Culture Week and the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting.
Unpaid obligations totaling Rs25 million for the Korean Culture Week and Rs95.822 million for the SCO meeting were cited as a result of inadequate budgetary allocations under operational headings. Rs120.822 million was authorized for reallocation by the ECC.
In addition, the Ministry of Interior has sought an additional allocation of Rs650.5 million to help pay for security measures and keep the peace during the SCO Summit 2024, fix the safe city cameras that were damaged in the violent protests, and meet other demands related to law enforcement. Furthermore, it was mentioned that the request had been granted by the ECC.
Funds from the Advocate General’s office, the Islamabad Capital Territory police, and the deputy commissioner’s office were reallocated to cover the Rs 650 million budget.
To settle Huawei Technology’s outstanding debts related to the Islamabad Safe City Camera project, the ECC authorized an extra budget of Rs1.7 billion.
The Islamabad High Court ordered the finance ministry to pay Huawei Technologies Rs1.7 billion to settle the remaining 5% of the Safe City Project Islamabad contract cost.
