13 arrested in NCCIA raids on 'anti-state' social media campaign across Punjab

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched a province-wide crackdown on alleged “anti-state” social media activities, arresting 13 individuals from multiple cities across Punjab over the past two weeks.

According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the operation was carried out on the directives of Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem, who recently assumed office. The arrested individuals are accused of running coordinated campaigns against state institutions, particularly targeting the military and government officials on various social media platforms. Two of the suspects were also allegedly involved in posting content directed against Gulf countries.

The suspects have been booked under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which governs cyber-related offences in Pakistan.

Authorities confirmed that four suspects — Usman, Qamar, Abbas and Tahir Mushtaq — were arrested from Lahore, while three — Hamid Raza, Imran Afzal and Waqar Ahmed — were taken into custody in Gujranwala. Two suspects, Ismail and Siddiq, were apprehended in Faisalabad, and four others — Arshad, Umar, Junaid and Azhar — were arrested in Multan.

“The arrested individuals were involved in sharing various types of content on social media platforms against state institutions and the government. This content not only hurt public sentiments but also had a negative impact on state order and governance,” the spokesperson said, adding that digital evidence had been recovered and separate cases registered against all suspects.

Officials said the cases would be pursued strictly on merit and in accordance with the law. The NCCIA reiterated that misuse of social media, particularly the dissemination of provocative or misleading content targeting state institutions, constitutes a punishable offence under existing legislation.

The crackdown comes amid broader concerns over digital expression. In its recent report, Amnesty International noted that amendments to online speech and anti-terrorism laws in Pakistan have significantly impacted freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, with journalists, activists and opposition members among those detained.

Earlier on April 30, the NCCIA had also arrested an individual in Lahore on similar charges. In a separate case this year, a sessions court handed down a 17-year sentence to lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha for disseminating what authorities termed “anti-state content” online.