ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused hostile foreign elements of orchestrating a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at falsely linking the suspect involved in Australia’s Bondi shooting to Pakistan, terming the claims baseless and malicious.
Speaking to the media in the federal capital, Tarar said misleading narratives began circulating soon after the tragic incident, despite the absence of any verified evidence connecting the suspect to Pakistan. He stressed that the allegations were amplified through coordinated online activity originating from countries hostile to Pakistan.
No Pakistani Link, Says Minister
The minister clarified that Pakistani authorities promptly reviewed the claims and found no connection whatsoever between Pakistan and the individual involved in the attack. He said available information confirmed that the suspect was not a Pakistani national and had no travel or citizenship ties with the country.
Tarar noted that even foreign law enforcement agencies had verified the suspect’s identity, which contradicted the false claims being spread online. Despite this, he said, certain media platforms continued to push the narrative without proper fact-checking.
Concern Over Irresponsible Reporting
Expressing concern, the information minister criticised the role of some international media outlets for circulating unverified information, stating that such reporting damages Pakistan’s global image and undermines journalistic responsibility.
He reiterated Pakistan’s firm condemnation of the Bondi shooting, describing it as a tragic act of violence, and conveyed solidarity with the people and government of Australia.
Tarar emphasised that Pakistan has long been a victim of terrorism and remains committed to combating extremism, adding that false associations only serve political motives rather than truth.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.