Talal Chaudhry warns that those involved could face legal action if they continue their activities
Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry speaks to journalists outside Parliament in Islamabad on October 9, 2025. Screen recording
ISLAMABAD:
Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry said on Monday that Pakistan has uncovered ample evidence of coordinated, paid social media campaigns run through fake accounts, largely operated from abroad, warning that those involved could face legal action if they continue activities that undermine the country.
In a detailed briefing, the minister said the government recently provided foreign media with background information on how terrorists and organized networks are exploiting social media platforms to manipulate public opinion in Pakistan.
He welcomed international coverage of Pakistan’s stance and said leading global newspapers and news channels had highlighted the issue responsibly.
Chaudhry stressed that while the government strongly supports freedom of expression, it must operate within constitutional limits.
“Freedom of expression is not exempt from responsibility,” he said, adding that no one has the right to hurt religious sentiments, attack friendly countries or defame people and institutions under the pretext of freedom of expression.
The minister explained that investigations revealed how artificial trends are created and “sold” through WhatsApp groups and other platforms.
According to the evidence presented, people are paid small amounts (ranging from a few rupees to cents per post) to tweet or forward messages repeatedly, sometimes hundreds of times a day.
Many of these accounts, he said, originate outside Pakistan and are operated by companies using fake identities. “These are anonymous accounts, often created in the names of women, news agencies, provinces or cities, but they are not real,” Chaudhry said.
He added that account names are frequently changed depending on the campaign being promoted, making it difficult to trace their origins.
The Minister of State noted that the same networks have been found to promote content linked to banned terrorist organizations such as TTP and BLA, as well as unrelated international causes, demonstrating that the activity is commercial rather than ideological.
“These trends are neither organic nor natural. They are paid for and managed by companies located outside Pakistan,” he said.
Chaudhry clarified that the evidence shared was collected directly from the same social media platforms that were being misused, including details of temporary WhatsApp groups formed to analyze trends and then deleted to avoid detection.
He said social media companies’ own community guidelines are being violated, leading to account closures and further actions by the platforms themselves.
While emphasizing that the government does not want ordinary citizens to face criminal proceedings, the minister issued a clear warning. “If people knowingly become part of paid trends that go against the country, they may face legal consequences,” he said.
With APP input
