Govt Intensifies Crackdown on Anti-State Social Media Campaigns

The federal government has ramped up its crackdown on anti-state campaigns circulating on social media, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) leading efforts to track, identify, and prosecute those involved.

According to official figures, the NCCIA has registered 356 FIRs nationwide against individuals accused of spreading anti-state propaganda online. In addition, 789 enquiries have been launched to investigate suspects engaged in posting content against state institutions.

During the “Marka-e-Haq” campaign, when anti-army posts gained traction on digital platforms, the NCCIA filed 52 cases against individuals allegedly involved in spreading such content.

Authorities revealed that the agency also played a crucial role in assisting police during the investigation of the May 9, 2025 incidents, where social media was allegedly misused to orchestrate attacks. By analysing suspects’ digital footprints and older posts, investigators gathered evidence that led to multiple convictions in Lahore, Sargodha, and Mianwali.

To strengthen monitoring, multiple Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been formed, while NCCIA works closely with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure harmful content is removed promptly. Accounts flagged in such campaigns are regularly sent to platforms for blocking.

The agency’s Open Source Intelligence Unit (OSINT) continues to track online activity to identify emerging propaganda trends before they gain momentum.

Officials emphasized that these measures are aimed at safeguarding national security and protecting state institutions from coordinated digital disinformation campaigns that have increasingly shifted to social media platforms.