Cracks in Pakistan-Qatar Ties: Military Directs Media Campaign Against Al Jazeera

Islamabad: Leaked documents reveal that Pakistan’s military instructed the country’s media to launch a campaign against Qatar and Al Jazeera, signaling growing tensions between Islamabad and Doha. The directive followed concerns over Qatar and Al Jazeera’s recent role in mediating between Taliban leaders and Pakistan.

According to the leaks, the Pakistani military believes that over the past year, Al Jazeera has portrayed Pakistan as politically unstable, mired in extremism, and failing in Afghan peace efforts. Viewing this coverage as aligned with Qatar’s foreign policy, the military ordered Pakistani media outlets, digital platforms, and analysts to present the Taliban as a destabilizing force rather than a legitimate authority in Afghanistan.

The campaign instructions specifically emphasized:

• Avoid praising the Taliban or portraying it as a stabilizing force.
• Counter any narratives that could be perceived as undermining Pakistan’s position.
• Adopt a more assertive approach to refute coverage considered damaging to Pakistan’s image.

Pakistan’s Campaign Against Qatar
The leaked documents allege that the editorial policies of Al Jazeera are closely aligned with Qatar’s diplomatic stance, raising questions about the channel’s neutrality and credibility. The Pakistani military’s media wing considers the coverage part of a deliberate narrative shaped by Doha, rather than impartial journalism.

Furthermore, the documents indicate that Pakistan’s handling of Taliban mediation meetings had already caused dissatisfaction in Qatar, adding another layer of strain to bilateral relations. Observers now suggest that Islamabad and Doha could face a significant diplomatic rift if media campaigns and conflicting narratives continue.