Authorities in Punjab have intensified cyber surveillance after identifying a massive network of over 58,000 social media pages promoting anti-state narratives and extremist propaganda, police sources confirmed on Monday.
According to officials, joint teams from Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have ramped up cyber patrolling efforts to track and dismantle digital campaigns driven by terrorist elements. A total of 58,788 objectionable pages have so far been flagged and reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for necessary action.
Out of these, 11,132 pages spreading hate speech and anti-state propaganda have been successfully blocked. Alarmingly, at least 54 social media pages were found to be hosting highly dangerous and inciting content, police sources added.
Authorities believe that a significant portion of the digital propaganda – around 80% – originates from foreign-based accounts. These accounts reportedly use sophisticated social media algorithms to specifically target Pakistan’s younger generation, aiming to influence public opinion and create unrest.
Police sources also revealed that monitoring of individual social media accounts has been expanded, and all suspicious activities are being recorded. Legal proceedings are expected to follow after identifying the individuals or groups behind these operations.
“Cyber patrolling has been increased to counter the digital warfare being waged against the state,” a senior police official said. “Our goal is to identify the miscreants behind these malicious campaigns and bring them to justice.”
