In contemporary warfare, the control of narratives and information has become as critical as the control of territory. The weaponisation of information through disinformation campaigns, deepfakes, and psychological manipulation has transformed the modern battlefield into one fought as much on screens as on the ground.
The recent 2025 India-Pakistan escalation highlighted the centrality of information operations. From premature victory claims to fabricated videos shaping international discourse, the conflict highlighted both the vulnerabilities of traditional media and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in amplifying hostile narratives. For Pakistan, this experience demonstrated the urgency of integrating a comprehensive and anticipatory media strategy into its national security framework.
To critically examine these developments, the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) Islamabad organised a Roundtable Conference on “Weaponising Information: Media Strategies in Modern Warfare” on 27th August 2025. The conference aimed to address:
- The evolving role of media in shaping battlefield outcomes and public perception.
- Lessons from the 2025 India-Pakistan escalation in terms of information operations.
- Pakistan’s strengths and shortcomings in countering hostile media strategies.
- Policy and institutional measures to develop an anticipatory information ecosystem.
The session featured two distinguished speakers: Mr. Amer Zafar Durrani, a seasoned development expert and the President of Reenergia, and Mr. Rehman Azhar, a distinguished broadcast journalist currently serving as the Executive Director for the Centre for Law and Security, Islamabad. The discussion was moderated by Air Marshal Zahid Mehmood (Retd), Senior Director CASS with Welcome and Concluding Remarks delivered by President CASS, Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd).
