Talal Chaudhry decries ‘foreign-paid’ social media campaigns

Talal Chaudhry warns those involved could face legal action if they continue activities

ISLAMABAD:

State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday said Pakistan has uncovered extensive 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.

Addressing a detailed briefing, the minister said the government recently provided foreign media with background information on how terrorists and organised networks are exploiting social media platforms to manipulate public opinion in Pakistan.

He welcomed international coverage of Pakistan’s stance, saying 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 without responsibility,” he said, adding that no one has the right to hurt religious sentiments, target friendly countries, or malign individuals and institutions under the guise of free speech.

The minister explained that investigations revealed how artificial trends are created and “sold” through WhatsApp groups and other platforms.

According to the evidence presented, individuals are paid small amounts-ranging from a few rupees to cents per post-to repeatedly tweet or forward messages, 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 harder to trace their origins.

The state minister noted that the same networks have been found promoting content linked to banned terrorist organizations such as the TTP and BLA, as well as unrelated international causes, demonstrating that the activity is commercial rather than ideological.

“These trends are not organic or natural. They are paid for, managed by companies sitting outside Pakistan,” he said.

Chaudhry clarified that the evidence shared was gathered directly from the same social media platforms being misused, including details of temporary WhatsApp groups formed to run trends and then deleted to avoid detection.

He said social media companies own community guidelines are being violated, leading to account closures and further action by the platforms themselves.

While emphasizing that the government does not want ordinary citizens to face criminal cases, 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 input from APP