According to the NCCIA Punjab spokesperson, the 11 individuals had been under surveillance. They were allegedly involved in spreading provocative content and running campaigns against state institutions, particularly the army, through social media and other online platforms.
The NCCIA spokesperson said raids were carried out on Thursday and two suspects were arrested from Lahore, three from Faisalabad, four from Multan, and one from Gujranwala on charges of anti-state propaganda and creating unrest among the public.
The spokesperson added that digital evidence and social media records were being collected from the arrested individuals to trace their possible networks and online activities.
The arrested suspects have been booked under different sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016.
NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem said that no leniency would be shown towards those involved in anti-state propaganda and attempts to spread panic and instability among the public. He added that the crackdown against such elements would continue and strict legal action would be taken in accordance with law.
Earlier this month, the NCCIA Punjab arrested 13 ‘anti-state social media activists’ in different cities of Punjab. It claimed the arrested suspects were involved in running a campaign against the state, particularly the army and government functionaries, across various social media platforms. Some of the suspects were also allegedly involved in posting content targeting Gulf countries.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Tuesday (May 5) launched a targeted crackdown and arrested 13 suspects accused of spreading anti-state propaganda online, particularly in the context of the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ali Waseem, the newly appointed Director of Operations for the Lahore region, said at least 13 suspects had been arrested and charged with disseminating misleading and provocative content across digital platforms.
“These are not isolated cases,” Ali said, adding that some of the material shared by the accused carried “international ramifications” and risked undermining Pakistan’s posture before the global community at a sensitive time.
He noted that certain posts had gone viral beyond Pakistan’s borders, including in neighbouring countries, drawing scrutiny and, in some instances, prompting complaints from foreign embassies.
“This is a serious concern. Digital content today does not remain confined within geographical boundaries,” he remarked.
According to NCCIA officials, several of the individuals under investigation were believed to have been “misguided” or influenced by political affiliations, which shaped the narrative of their online activity. Authorities, however, maintained that both intent and impact were being examined as part of the legal process.
The crackdown came as Pakistan continued to advocate for negotiations and a ceasefire in the Middle East, urging restraint amid escalating hostilities. Officials say the spread of unverified or inflammatory content could compromise these efforts and create confusion at both domestic and international levels.
Waseem further said the agency was employing forensic analysis and digital tracing tools to track the origin and spread of such content. He warned that strict action would be taken under relevant cybercrime laws against those found involved in “malicious campaigns targeting state institutions or foreign policy positions.”
He also urged citizens to exercise caution and responsibility while sharing information online