India Launches Fresh Disinformation Campaign to Undermine Pakistan’s Champions Trophy 2025 Hosting Rights

India’s disinformation networks have once again launched a fresh wave of fabricated narratives targeting Pakistan, this time aiming to sabotage the country’s hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This new campaign is focused on spreading unfounded security concerns, claiming potential threats from the so-called Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) during the tournament.

Indian state-affiliated social media actors are propagating unverified reports, claiming that Indian intelligence agencies have detected possible ISKP attacks on Pakistan during the event. These claims have been further propagated through Indian social media, which are also speculating that foreign agencies allegedly warned India about security risks in Pakistan.

The motive behind spreading this fear and uncertainty is to create doubts about Pakistan’s security environment and pressure the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate the tournament. India’s consistent pattern of using disinformation to diplomatically, economically, and now in the realm of sports, isolate Pakistan is evident.

**The Previous Fake Security Threats**
In September 2021, both New Zealand and England cricket teams canceled their planned tours to Pakistan, citing security concerns. Subsequent investigations by Pakistani authorities revealed that these security alerts originated from India, aimed at portraying Pakistan as a security threat and disrupting international cricket activities in the country.

The core of the Indian propaganda is linking the ISKP, an Afghanistan-based group, to Pakistan, fueling the false narrative that Pakistan is a center of instability. This rhetoric, however, conveniently ignores the fact that Pakistan has successfully dismantled major terrorist networks while India is grappling with rising insurgency and extremist activities within its own borders.

Indian narratives often refer to vague “foreign intelligence briefings” to substantiate their claims, but no credible international security agency has confirmed these reports, highlighting the orchestrated attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image.

**The Pattern of India’s Propaganda**
From exposing Indian propaganda networks by the EU DisinfoLab to the repeated misinformation campaigns against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the pattern is consistent. India manufactures crises to achieve its geopolitical interests.

**Pakistan’s Unwavering Response**
Despite these efforts, Pakistan remains resolute in its commitment to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a safe and world-class environment. The country has a proven track record of successfully hosting international sporting events, including cricket tournaments with international teams.

Security arrangements are robust, and Pakistan has demonstrated its capacity to ensure the safe conduct of sports events. India’s baseless propaganda will not dictate the future of cricket in Pakistan. The international community and cricketing bodies must recognize this for what it truly is – a calculated political attempt to mislead the world.

Pakistan is confidently preparing to host the Champions Trophy, and these fake news campaigns will ultimately prove futile.