Media campaign to sensitise citizens about terrorism expected
By Munawer Azeem
2014-06-03
he government has decided to launch a media campaign to sensitise the citizens about the possible repercussions of a military operation against the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in North Waziristan.
As a part of the campaign, the ministry of information and broadcasting has developed two documentary packages on counterterrorism and extremism.
The details of this campaign have been shared with the interior ministry, capital police, the Federal Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau and the Inter Services Intelligence.
Dawn has learnt that the objective of the campaign is to sensitise the people against terrorism and extremism.
This is because intelligence officials have warned that if the operation begins, the militants would retaliate more brutally than ever before.
As part of the media campaign, the ministry of information has prepared a project called Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC), which would help develop counter-narratives to the violent ideology of the terrorists.
This narrative would be `developed` by running programmes on television and radio as well as newspaper advertisements and billboards.
Another campaign is to be called `Pur Azm Pakistan` which would highlight terrorism survivors to raise awareness about the destruction that militants have wreaked on ordinary people.
Scheduled to be launched from June 30, this campaign would have 22 testimonials of the survivors of terrorist attacks on civilians and law enforcement agencies. Their testimonials will show that the attacks failed to demoralise the survivors; instead they became more resilient, committed and dedicated to root out terrorism. The campaign would honour individuals and communities that experienced terrorist attacks.
A third campaign, `Safer Givings` is to encourage people to donate to recognised welfare institutions instead of unknown outfits which might have links with terrorists.
The ministry has approached intelligence and law enforcement agencies about the possible repercussions of launching the media campaign.
`The media products will be shared with the officials concerned at a meeting which would be held soon with the secretary information and broadcasting,` an official added.
Besides, it would also show a holistic picture of the damage done to Pakistan through militancy by exposing and demonising the terrorists and their agendas to foster public support against them.
When contacted, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rasheed said there were proposals about the media campaign and the government was working on it. However, he said no final decision had been taken in this regard so far.