Punjab Cracks Down on 58,000+ Social Media Pages Spreading Extremist & Anti-State Content

In a significant move to curb online extremism and digital threats to national security, authorities in Punjab have identified a sprawling network of 58,788 social media pages propagating anti-state narratives and extremist content, police officials confirmed on Monday.

The effort, a joint operation between the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), has intensified cyber patrolling across the province. So far, 11,132 objectionable pages have been blocked after being reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Police sources revealed that 54 social media pages contained particularly dangerous, inciteful material capable of sparking unrest. Most notably, nearly 80% of this digital propaganda originates from foreign-based accounts, using targeted algorithms to manipulate and mislead Pakistan’s youth.

Surveillance has now extended to individual accounts, with suspicious digital behavior being recorded and logged. Officials hinted that legal action is underway to apprehend the individuals and groups behind these malicious campaigns.

“This is not just social media activity—this is digital warfare,” a senior police official said. “We are committed to defending Pakistan’s cyber space just as we defend our physical borders.”