The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Tuesday arrested two social media activists affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in Mansehra. The arrests were made following a complaint by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Syeda Sonia Hussain over alleged character assassination on social media.
Ms Hussain told reporters that she had approached the NCCIA seeking legal action against individuals who, she said, had circulated offensive and defamatory content targeting her political standing and personal life. She said such posts were unacceptable and left her with no option but to pursue legal recourse.
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According to Ms Hussain, NCCIA officials conducted raids in different localities of the district after receiving her written complaint. The agency arrested two individuals identified as Majid Shah Tirmazi and Majid Shah during the operation.
The MPA also shared screenshots of several social media posts that she alleged were circulated by members of the PTI’s social media wing. She said the content targeted not only her but also her family, adding that no individual could tolerate such personal attacks.
“I cannot tolerate character assassination of myself and my family through immoral posts,” she said, adding that seeking legal action was her right. She maintained that political differences should not cross into personal abuse.
Meanwhile, PTI MPA Akramullah Ghazi strongly condemned the arrests of the party’s activists. Addressing reporters, he appealed to PTI workers to remain peaceful while criticising the action taken by the federal cybercrime agency.
Mr Ghazi said the NCCIA was a federal body and demanded the immediate release of the arrested activists. He claimed that a peaceful political environment existed in the district and accused the ruling party of attempting to disrupt it.
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He also urged political actors to tolerate criticism and avoid personal attacks, warning that escalating political disputes into personal matters would not serve anyone’s interests. The NCCIA has not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the case or the specific charges filed against the arrested individuals.