Islamabad – As Pakistan–Afghanistan negotiations in Istanbul collapsed after four days of talks on Late Tuesday, GDI-linked and pro-Taliban social media accounts launched a coordinated propaganda campaign targeting Pakistan. Netizens noted that these narratives were amplified to discredit Islamabad’s position and frame its counter-terrorism concerns as “sabotage.” The timing of this digital offensive coincided with Kabul’s reluctance to sign written guarantees on eliminating Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) sanctuaries.
Coordinated Online Campaign
According to officials familiar with the Istanbul process, the propaganda spike was not accidental. It emerged precisely when Pakistan renewed its demand for written commitments from Kabul on counter-terrorism measures. “While Islamabad focuses on verifiable peace guarantees, Kabul’s online proxies are manufacturing outrage to derail progress,” one source said.
The disinformation drive intensified on Wednesday after former United States diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad reposted a fabricated message from an account impersonating Tajikistan’s intelligence chief, Saimumin Yatimov. The fake account, which used Persian rather than Tajikistan’s official Cyrillic script for its biography line, urged Pakistan’s military to “choose peace with Afghanistan.”
Amplification by Regional and Western Voices
Indian journalist Aditya Raj Kaul echoed similar narratives, writing on X that the Taliban had “warned of a reciprocal response” to any Pakistani strike and that “if Afghanistan’s territory is bombed, Islamabad will be targeted.” The framing, consistent with Afghan GDI talking points, portrayed Pakistan’s defensive actions as aggressive escalation.
Meanwhile, Mir Yar Baloch, head of MEMRI’s so-called “Independent Balochistan Desk,” used X to advocate for Kabul’s “reclaiming of ancestral Pashtun lands” and recognition of a “Republic of Balochistan.” He described such a move as one that would “shift the political table” in South Asia; rhetoric analysts described as a blend of fantasy and disinformation aimed at stirring ethnic and geopolitical tensions.
Experts observing the trend describe a coordinated pattern: Afghan GDI-linked accounts initiate falsehoods, Indian RAW-affiliated handles mainstream them, Israeli-linked outlets intellectualize them, and Western figures like Khalilzad lend them legitimacy. Khalilzad later deleted his post, commented, “Excellent advice to Pakistan’s military leader from Tajikistan’s experienced intelligence chief,” inadvertently amplifying a network of Afghan GDI-linked accounts behind the fake post.
Fact-checkers later confirmed that the account originated within Afghan propaganda circles and was subsequently boosted by Indian and Western handles to create an illusion of authenticity.
Misinformation and Policy Credibility
The timing of the disinformation surge, immediately following the Istanbul breakdown, underscores what intelligence observers call “a deliberate digital deflection” from Kabul’s refusal to sign written commitments on TTP and BLA elimination.
Analysts point to a broader nexus involving Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Israeli-linked networks, collectively operating to erode Pakistan’s deterrence, create internal discord, and shield militant proxies under the guise of “strategic narratives.”
Islamabad’s position remains unchanged. “No coalition of false narratives, whether generated in Kabul, Delhi, or Tel Aviv, can alter Pakistan’s resolve to secure its borders,” a senior security official told Hindukush Tribune Network.
During this fragile phase of the talks, the episode has reignited concerns about the growing role of misinformation in shaping regional discourse. Analysts warn that when amplified by influential figures, false narratives can distort complex diplomatic realities and inflame regional instability.
“The disinformation surge following the Istanbul talks is not accidental,” said one regional analyst. “It reflects an orchestrated attempt to weaken Pakistan’s credibility and deflect scrutiny from Kabul’s failure to deliver on its commitments.”
As the peace process remains stalled, Pakistan continues to emphasize verifiable security guarantees as the foundation of any future engagement, a position Islamabad insists cannot be replaced by online narratives or external pressure.
