KARACHI: Explai­ning the changing character of modern warfare, speakers at a seminar held at Karachi University (KU) on Monday stated that mental resilience and media awareness were crucial in countering psychological tactics employed in conflict situations to influence civilian readiness and sow fear — often to achieve strategic targets without a single bullet being fired.

The event, titled “Psychological Support During India-Pakistan Conflict 2025 Strategic Consortium”, was jointly organised by KU’s Department of Psychology and the Institute of Clinical Psychology at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium.

Highlighting the growing influence of psychological warfare, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said: “In the rapidly changing world, psychological warfare has become a powerful and widely utilised tool, employed by both state and non-state actors to achieve strategic objectives. Hence, it’s important to understand emerging trends in this domain.”

The role of the media, he said, was no longer limited to disseminating information.

“It is now responsible for shaping public perceptions as well. Modern warfare is not confined to weapons — it is a battle of the mind,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader implications of war, the vice chancellor asserted that conflict did not serve anyone’s true interests.

Chairperson of the Psychology Department Prof Anila Amber Malik highlighted how psychological tactics were deliberately used to manipulate public thoughts, emotions and decisions.

“Psychological warfare thrives on the tactical use of misinformation, fear, and psychological operations to gain strategic advantage — often without resorting to physical combat,” she noted.

She warned that misinformation and propaganda weaken trust in institutions, create unrest and foster mass anxiety.

She pointed out: “Psychological warfare, in essence, is the battle for influence. It is the deliberate use of information, misinformation, fear, propaganda, and psychological operations to erode an opponent’s cohesion, sow doubt, and achieve strategic advantage — often without a single shot being fired.”

“It turns perception into a weapon. In today’s interconnected world, with the speed of digital communication, psychological operations can have global effects in real time,” she mentioned.

“As we’ve seen in recent conflicts, cyber influence campaigns, deep fakes, and information blackouts are now standard tools in the arsenal of modern psychological warfare.”

“Civilian readiness and resilience are crucial for navigating the psychological effects of conflict, which can include anxiety, trauma, and even feelings of hopelessness,” she concluded.

Prof Samina Saeed, KU’s Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, observed that wars bring destruction — loss of lives, devastation of infrastructure, and economic hardship.

Director of KU’s Institute of Clinical Psychology, Prof Dr Uzma Ali, explored the psychological impact of warfare and discussed ways to cope with its effects. She reinforced the idea that unity and mental strength were key to overcoming adversities.

Prof Farah Iqbal spoke of the power of knowledge in navigating modern conflicts. She pointed out that contemporary wars rely more on narratives and technology than traditional combat.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2025