Pakistan Urges Peaceful Ukraine Resolution, Warns Against Disinformation
New York: At the United Nations Security Council Arria Formula meeting on “The Information Dimension of the Ukrainian Crisis: How Media Narratives Shape Conflict,” organized by the Russian Federation, Pakistan’s Counsellor Kamran Taj emphasized the critical role of dialogue, diplomacy, and responsible information in mitigating the crisis in Ukraine.
Addressing the Council on 20 February 2026, Counsellor Taj stated that Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and their disproportionate impact on civilians. He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position that a peaceful settlement, grounded in the UN Charter, international law, and relevant multilateral agreements, is essential. Pakistan calls for a just and lasting resolution acceptable to all parties and aligned with the security interests of all sides.
Highlighting the modern information landscape, Counsellor Taj noted that while information can be a powerful tool for empowerment, it is increasingly being misused as a vector for manipulation. “The disingenuous use of information blurring the lines between fact and fabrication continues to erode trust and deepen polarization across the globe,” he said.
He warned that systematic disinformation campaigns are increasingly employed to mislead public opinion and influence policymakers. “Such tactics not only distort realities but also undermine the integrity of international discourse,” Counsellor Taj emphasized.
Taj further stressed that no country is immune from the effects of false narratives. He cited Pakistan’s own experiences with coordinated disinformation campaigns, including reports verified by the EU DisinfoLab in 2020, and similar patterns observed during heightened regional tensions last year.
The diplomat also addressed the growing technological dimension of the challenge. The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deepfake capabilities enables the creation of highly realistic, yet entirely fabricated content, which can inflame hostilities, mislead the public, and destabilize regions. “When manipulated media can mimic reality with alarming precision, the potential to exacerbate conflicts grows exponentially,” he warned.
Counsellor Taj called for urgent collective action by the international community to address the disinformation threat. He urged the development of robust mechanisms to detect, expose, and counter false information, particularly that which is technologically enhanced, in order to preserve interstate trust and cooperation.
He concluded by emphasizing that addressing the weaponization of information is not only a security imperative but also a prerequisite for maintaining the integrity of international diplomacy.
“The international community must act decisively to confront this emerging challenge before it further fractures global stability,” Taj stated.
