The report analyses the mechanisms of Russian disinformation in Pakistan, one of the most unstable yet geopolitically strategic states in South Asia. Drawing on press materials, diplomatic communication, and social media content, the author demonstrates how Russia leverages local political, social, and media conditions to inject pro-Russian narratives into Pakistan’s information space.
The study reveals a network of state-controlled and informal propaganda channels that, between 2022 and 2025, enabled Moscow to penetrate Pakistan’s media mainstream—through editorial cooperation with The Nation, the activities of the Russian Embassy in Islamabad, and digital platforms and AI-generated video formats.
The report shows that Russian narratives—framed as “neutral” information—focus on undermining the credibility of the West, promoting the image of Russia as a “guardian of order,” and legitimising energy cooperation with Moscow. At the same time, they tap into existing societal divisions in Pakistan: religious, class-based, and ethnic, which makes the country particularly susceptible to external manipulation.
The analysis also highlights the convergence of Russian and Chinese messaging, creating a synergistic disinformation ecosystem in the region. This phenomenon has not only a media dimension but also a strategic one—shaping Islamabad’s political decisions and its relations with major powers.
The report offers a comprehensive study of Russian information warfare beyond the post-Soviet space and shows how the Kremlin adapts its tools to the realities of developing countries. It is essential reading for scholars of South Asia, information security, and contemporary forms of international influence.
