ISPR refutes viral message about pesticide spray for coronavirus

Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, social media platforms have been swamped with fake news and misinformation on a global scale.

A message, linked with Pakistan military wing ISPR, was doing rounds on social media platforms claiming that the Pak army will spray pesticides via helicopters all over the country at midnight.

In the fake message, citizens were urged not to go outside after midnight as the pesticides could bear harmful effects on human health.

“Today, special military helicopters will spray pesticides against the Coronavirus in the skies all over the country, so you must stay indoors after midnight. When you hear the sounds of airplanes at night, it is for you to know that it is related to this matter (COVID-19),” the fake message stated.

However, ISPR has officially refuted the message clarifying that “the department did not issue any message regarding pesticides. It is imperative to verify any news piece before passing it on”.

Moreover, it was also advised that citizens should depend on the information issued by relevant authorities through official channels during the pandemic.

DG ISPR urged the citizens to undertake protective measures and exercise social distancing to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus.