The federal government has intensified its crackdown on anti-state campaigns being run on social media, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) taking the lead in identifying and prosecuting those involved.

According to official information, the NCCIA has registered 356 FIRs across Pakistan against individuals accused of spreading anti-state propaganda online. In addition, 789 enquiries have been initiated into suspects posting content targeting state institutions.

During the recent Marka-e-Haq campaign, when anti-army posts gained traction online, the agency registered 52 cases against individuals allegedly involved in spreading content against the armed forces.

Officials said NCCIA also assisted police in the investigation of the May 9, 2025, incident, where social media was allegedly used to orchestrate attacks. By analysing suspects’ digital footprints and old posts, investigators established evidence that led to multiple convictions in Lahore, Sargodha, and Mianwali.

To curb online misuse, multiple Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been formed. NCCIA also works closely with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for timely removal of harmful content, while identified accounts are regularly forwarded to platforms for blocking.

The agency’s Open Source Intelligence Unit (OSINT) continues to monitor online activity to detect emerging propaganda patterns, with the goal of preventing disinformation before it spreads.

Officials maintain these measures are necessary to protect national security and safeguard state institutions from coordinated digital disinformation campaigns.