MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Information, Auqaf and Religious Affairs Mohammad Rafique Nayyar on Thursday urged students to make responsible and positive use of modern technology and social media, saying media literacy had become essential in the fast-paced digital age to distinguish between correct and incorrect information.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a special awareness workshop on media literacy and social media organised by the Pakistan Information Department (PID) at a private hotel in Muzaffarabad. The workshop was attended by students as well as some media representatives.

Mr Nayyar said students were the bright future of the country and that the modern educational, technical and digital facilities available today should be used constructively for personal development as well as for the betterment of society. He warned that the irresponsible use of social media could be harmful not only to individuals but also to society as a whole.

Recalling his own student days, the minister said that in the past students had to pursue their education with limited resources, whereas technology had now made access to knowledge much easier. He said he obtained his law degree from Punjab University in 1983, at a time when there was no internet or social media, yet students progressed through hard work, discipline and commitment.

Referring to a painful personal experience, he said that while he was a student at Mirpur College in 1977, he received the news of his sister’s death four days after it had occurred, as there were no advanced means of communication at the time. He said this highlighted how dramatically the media landscape had changed over the years.

The minister said that in the era of social media, news travelled across the world within moments, making media literacy more important than ever, particularly for young people. He urged students to use technology for constructive purposes such as education, research and positive expression.

He also advised the youth to remember the hard work and sacrifices of their parents, live up to their expectations and bring pride to their families through their character and conduct. He said discipline, punctuality and adherence to moral values were essential for success in life, adding that a well-informed and principled young generation was the foundation of a strong and developed society.

Assistant Director (Admin) of the PID Islamabad, Mujtaba Ahmed, along with Dr Mubashar Naqvi from AJK University, Raja Nasir Latif and others, also addressed the workshop. At the close of the event, the minister distributed certificates among the participants.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026