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Why Is Pakistan Developing Its First-Ever Media Literacy Strategy?

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In a crucial stride toward building a knowledge-based society and fostering responsible digital citizenship, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Media Foundation 360, and the Department of Digital Media at the University of the Punjab, convened a high-level technical session titled “Shaping National Policy: Enhancing Policymakers’ Understanding of Media and Information Literacy Challenges.”

Held under the umbrella of UNESCO’s global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) initiative, this policy-driven dialogue brought together key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, media professionals, and members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, to discuss the integration of MIL competencies into Pakistan’s national policy framework.

UNESCO Advocates for Media Literacy as a Democratic Imperative

Opening the session, Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director of PIPS, welcomed participants and emphasized the urgency of embedding Media and Information Literacy in policymaking processes.

Antony Kar Hung Tam, Officer-in-Charge at the UNESCO Office in Pakistan, highlighted MIL as a cornerstone of democratic resilience and digital empowerment:

“In an era of information overload and digital disruption, Media and Information Literacy is not optional—it is essential. When citizens can critically assess content, counter disinformation, and engage ethically online, they strengthen democracy, transparency, and inclusive governance.”

National Strategy in the Making: Beyond Classrooms to Governance

The session included a vibrant panel discussion where Syeda Shehla Raza, Member of the National Assembly, and other lawmakers underscored the relevance of MIL in shaping policy, countering fake news, and empowering youth.

At the heart of the session, Professor Dr. Savera Mujib Shami, Chairperson of the Department of Digital Media, University of the Punjab, presented the draft National Media and Information Literacy Strategy. The strategy aims to embed MIL across:

  • Educational curricula

  • Media regulation and practices

  • Government communication frameworks

Dr. Shami stressed the strategy’s focus on youth engagement, gender equity, and ethical digital participation, aligning with Pakistan’s broader Digital Pakistan vision and UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Interactive Policy Exercises and Roadmap Planning

Participants, including civil society leaders and media professionals, engaged in hands-on policy drafting exercises and collaborative consultations to map MIL initiatives that can be scaled nationally. These included:

  • Public awareness campaigns

  • Teacher training programs

  • Regulatory frameworks for digital content

  • Cross-sectoral partnerships to tackle disinformation

This session marks a milestone in co-developing Pakistan’s first-ever National Media and Information Literacy Policy, aiming to institutionalize critical thinking, ethical content creation, and informed digital participation at every level of society.

Why Media and Information Literacy Matters for Pakistan

Pakistan faces increasing challenges from misinformation, fake news, and polarized online discourse. Media and Information Literacy is not just about education—it’s a shield against manipulation, a tool for democratic participation, and a foundation for inclusive digital societies.

This initiative represents a commitment to shaping a digitally aware, critically engaged, and ethically responsible citizenry in Pakistan—one that can navigate the complexities of the digital age while upholding democratic values.

Towards an Inclusive Digital Future

UNESCO and its partners in Pakistan are leading the charge toward a resilient, literate, and democratic digital future. As the policy-making process continues, stakeholders are optimistic that a National Media and Information Literacy Strategy will become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital transformation and a global model for inclusive, ethical, and informed online engagement.

Mehwish Abbas
Mehwish Abbas
Mehwish Abbas is a student at NUST and writes research articles on international relations. She also contributes research for the Think Tank Journal.

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