ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday claimed that Pakistan had uncovered extensive evidence of coordinated and paid online social media campaigns operated largely through fake accounts from abroad. He said these campaigns were aimed at manipulating public opinion and targeting state institutions.
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Speaking at a press conference, the minister said the government had recently shared background briefings with foreign media. He explained how terrorists and organised networks were exploiting online social media platforms to spread artificial narratives in Pakistan.
Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry warns that PTI is running systematic anti-state campaigns on social media; legal action may follow against those involved. #TalalChaudhry #SocialMediaTrends
Read more: https://t.co/qYq4wBGq7c pic.twitter.com/G2iudq87je— Fourth Pillar Post (@Post4th) December 15, 2025
Mr Chaudhry said investigations revealed that fake trends were created and sold through WhatsApp groups and other platforms. Individuals were allegedly paid small amounts to repeatedly post or forward messages, sometimes hundreds of times a day.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has exposed the PTI’s social media campaign with proofs pic.twitter.com/YRxwuloWa7
— Pakistan Connect (@Pak_Connect) December 15, 2025
He claimed many of these accounts originated outside Pakistan and were run by companies using false identities. According to him, account names were frequently changed to suit different campaigns, making tracing difficult.
The minister alleged that the same networks had promoted content linked to terrorist organisations as well as unrelated international causes. This, he said, proved the activity was commercial rather than ideological and not based on genuine public sentiment.
He added that evidence had been obtained directly from online social media platforms, including details of temporary WhatsApp groups formed to run trends and later deleted. He said such activity violated platform guidelines, resulting in account closures and action by the companies.
While stressing that the government did not want ordinary citizens to face criminal charges, Mr Chaudhry warned that knowingly participating in paid anti-state campaigns could invite legal consequences. He said freedom of expression carried responsibility and could not be used to harm institutions or friendly countries.
Responding to questions, he said privacy laws limited access to IP addresses but Pakistan was engaging with platforms and foreign governments. He reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism and its commitment to countering digital manipulation.
Read More: Govt warns of paid social media campaigns from abroad
The minister also accused PTI-linked social media accounts of receiving foreign funding to run coordinated anti-state trends. He said the government would not compromise on national sovereignty and would continue action against such networks.