JIT formed to investigate 'organised malicious social media campaign'
1. Islamabad IGP-led team tasked to identify and prosecute culprits spreading anti-state content on social media
The federal government of Pakistan has established a 5-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe an organized anti-state social media campaign. This action is in accordance with Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. The team is led by the Islamabad police chief and includes senior officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and local police.
The JIT's mandate is to investigate and pinpoint the objectives of those responsible for creating disorder through malicious social media activities and to identify and prosecute the perpetrators as per the law. The panel also has the authority to include additional members if necessary.
In conjunction with this, the government has set up special courts to handle cases under the PECA Act, with specific judges appointed to these courts.
Additionally, the government is trialing an internet firewall to filter and block unwanted content, as well as to trace the origins of propaganda material.
Recent developments include the arrest and detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan and other members of the party's media cell. They are being investigated under charges related to the PECA Act, including glorification of an offense, cyber-terrorism, and hate speech. The FIR alleges that these individuals aimed to damage Pakistan's integrity and disrupt law and order by inciting public opposition to the state and military.
