Pakistan files cybercrime case against opposition lawmaker Shandana Gulzar
The case involves allegations about arrested PTI activist Sanam Javed
Ali Hamza
Correspondent
Ali; a journalist with 3 years of experience, working in Newspaper. Worked in Field, covered Big Legal Constitutional and Political Events in Pakistan since 2022. Graduate of DePaul University, Chicago.
Shandana Gulzar Khan, former Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce, at the World Economic Forum, April 7, 2019.
WEF
Authorities say action is part of broader crackdown on misinformation
PTI frequently uses social platforms to criticize government and military
Rights groups warn cybercrime laws sometimes used to silence dissent
Pakistani authorities have registered a cybercrime case against Shandana Gulzar, a member of parliament from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, over allegations she spread false information on social media and made accusations against state institutions.
The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) filed the case Wednesday, accusing Gulzar of posting statements related to the arrest of PTI activist Sanam Javed and other actions authorities say were aimed against the state.
Agency officials said she shared fake and fabricated news through her social media platforms, adding that a formal investigation has been launched.
Gulzar, a senior PTI leader who represents the party in the National Assembly, Pakistan's lower house of parliament, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Broader crackdown
Government sources said the case is part of a broader crackdown on what authorities characterize as deliberate misinformation and hate campaigns on social media.
Officials said the state has started holding accountable those who spread false narratives that undermine national stability.
PTI, founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been locked in a protracted confrontation with Pakistan's military and the current government. The party and its supporters have frequently used social media to mobilize supporters and criticize authorities.
Rights groups have previously raised concerns about Pakistan's cybercrime laws, saying they are sometimes used to stifle dissent and curb freedom of expression.
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