The federal government has ramped up its crackdown on anti-state campaigns circulating on social media, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) taking the lead in tracking and prosecuting those involved. Official data reveals that the NCCIA has registered 356 FIRs nationwide against individuals accused of spreading anti-state propaganda online. In addition, the agency has launched 789 enquiries to investigate suspects allegedly engaged in targeting state institutions through digital platforms. During the recent Marka-e-Haq campaign, when anti-army posts gained traction on social media, the NCCIA filed 52 cases against individuals accused of spreading content against the armed forces. Authorities further noted that the agency provided crucial support to police in probing the May 9, 2025 incident, where social media platforms were allegedly misused to incite and coordinate attacks. By analysing suspects’ digital footprints and archived posts, investigators managed to gather evidence that secured convictions in several cases across Lahore, Sargodha, and Mianwali. To further tighten monitoring, the government has also established multiple Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) aimed at curbing the misuse of online platforms. NCCIA also maintains close coordination with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure timely removal of harmful content, while accounts identified in such campaigns are regularly forwarded to platforms for blocking. The agency’s Open Source Intelligence Unit (OSINT) continues to monitor online activity to detect emerging patterns of anti-state propaganda. Officials said these efforts are aimed at preventing the spread of disinformation before it gains traction. The government maintains that these measures are necessary to protect national security and state institutions from coordinated disinformation campaigns, which have increasingly shifted to the digital sphere.
Govt intensifies action against anti-state social media drives
