Govt forms JIT to tackle ‘malicious’ social media campaigns in Pakistan

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The government has formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe individuals and groups accused of spreading “chaos and disorder” through “malicious social media campaigns”, according to a notification issued on Saturday.

The JIT, convened by Islamabad Inspector General of Police, will investigate “organised objectives” of those creating chaos through social media and “identify and prosecute culprits” under applicable laws.

“The Federal Government has been pleased to constitute a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in terms of Section 30 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016,” the notification stated.

The move comes days after the interior ministry announced a JIT would be formed to probe alleged “anti-state propaganda” by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the notification does not mention the PTI.

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesman for the Pakistan Army, had accused “digital terrorists” of making the military’s anti-terrorism efforts controversial on social media platforms, in a veiled reference to the PTI.

“The JIT shall investigate and determine the organised objectives of the accused and their accomplices who have created chaos and disorder in Pakistan through a malicious social media campaign,” the notification stated.

The JIT will include representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, Counter Terrorism Wing, Islamabad deputy inspector general (DIG) of police (investigation), and the Counter-Terrorism Department’s senior superintendent of police.

PTI information secretary Raoof Hasan was arrested on Monday during a raid conducted by the Islamabad police and the FIA on the party’s Central Office. Hasan and 11 others were booked under cyberterrorism of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA).

The PECA law aims to address cybercrimes and regulate electronic communications, covering offenses like unauthorized access to data, cyber terrorism, and the dissemination of false information. However, critics argue that the law’s broad definitions can be used to suppress dissent and target journalists and opposition parties.