Pakistan’s military media wing is at the centre of a fresh controversy after alleged internal directives surfaced, pointing to a coordinated media campaign aimed at countering Qatar and its state-funded
broadcaster, Al Jazeera, over coverage related to Afghanistan and the Taliban regime, CNN-News18 has learnt.
According to the leaked instructions, Pakistani media houses, digital platforms, and analysts were advised not to portray the Afghan Taliban regime as a “perfect or stabilising force” and were specifically directed to challenge what the military describes as Qatar’s “dubious diplomatic neutrality” on Afghan affairs. The directives reportedly call for heightened scrutiny of Qatar’s diplomatic role and a more aggressive pushback against narratives seen as undermining Pakistan’s position.
The documents allege that Al Jazeera has consistently framed Pakistan over the past year as politically unstable, prone to militancy, and ineffective in its peace efforts related to Afghanistan. The military media wing, sources say, views such coverage as part of a broader narrative campaign aligned with Qatar’s foreign policy interests rather than independent journalism.
The leaked communication further claims that Al Jazeera does not operate in isolation from Qatar’s diplomatic objectives, arguing that repeated editorial trends mirroring state policy raise questions about the broadcaster’s neutrality and credibility. Media outlets in Pakistan were reportedly encouraged to highlight this linkage and question whether Doha’s approach reflects genuine mediation or strategic branding.
The directives also urge Qatari diplomatic channels and media platforms to “cease negative reporting” against Pakistan on the Afghan Taliban issue, asserting that such coverage undermines Islamabad’s stated peace efforts in the region.
The revelations come at a time of heightened sensitivity around Afghanistan, where Pakistan and Qatar have both played visible but differing roles in engagement with the Taliban. While Qatar has positioned itself as a neutral mediator hosting key diplomatic talks, Pakistan maintains that its contributions to regional stability are being selectively overlooked.
