Authorities in Punjab have intensified their cyber surveillance efforts following the identification of a substantial network comprising over 58,000 social media pages disseminating anti-state narratives and extremist propaganda, police sources confirmed on Monday.
According to officials, joint teams from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have escalated cyber patrolling activities to track and dismantle digital campaigns orchestrated by terrorist elements. A total of 58,788 objectionable pages have been identified and reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for appropriate action.
Of these identified pages, 11,132 that were spreading hate speech and anti-state propaganda have been successfully blocked. Alarmingly, police sources added that at least 54 social media pages were found to be hosting highly dangerous and inciting content.
Authorities believe that a significant portion of this digital propaganda – approximately 80% – originates from accounts based outside the country. These accounts reportedly utilize sophisticated social media algorithms to specifically target Pakistan’s younger population, with the aim of influencing public opinion and inciting unrest.
Police sources also disclosed that the monitoring of individual social media accounts has been expanded, and all suspicious activities are being documented. Legal proceedings are anticipated following the identification of the individuals or groups responsible for these operations.
“Cyber patrolling has been increased to effectively counter the digital warfare being waged against the state,” a senior police official stated. “Our objective is to identify the perpetrators behind these malicious campaigns and ensure they are brought to justice.”
