NCCIA booked 11 individuals over anti-state propaganda

KARACHI: 11 individuals, including three women, have been booked by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Sindh for promoting anti-state narrative and defamatory remarks against high-level figures on social media platforms.

The alleged propaganda was promoted through a web channel and different social media platforms, according to the reports.

The defamatory remarks were made during the recent standoff between Pakistan and India. Several arrests have already been made by the authorities, including a woman.

Reports state that at least 500 accounts are involved in such activities, adding that an investigation has been launched to apprehend the other involved as well.

Earlier, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked more than lakh websites and thousands of YouTube channels working against the national interest.

The move was taken amid a major crackdown launched against the digital platforms spreading content harmful to the country’s security and defence.

As part of the operation, PTA has blocked 119,496 websites and 3,248 YouTube channels. PTA officials said that releasing details of the closed websites is not possible due to privacy policies.

Sources said that major Pakistani YouTubers who launched hate campaigns against the state and military leadership during the recent Pak-India tension have come on the PTA’s radar.

The authority has compiled its lists and sought permission from the government to immediately close these YouTube channels.