On August 10, a Karachi judicial magistrate sentenced Muhammad Ibrahim to one year in prison for allegedly spreading false information online and inciting public unrest, but released him on probation considering his illiteracy, lack of prior criminal record and status as his family’s sole breadwinner. The court also imposed a Rs10,000 fine, with an additional 30 days in prison for non-payment.

Ibrahim, 26-27, was accused of running an ‘anti-state’ social media campaign encouraging attacks on oil tankers during protests against the construction of new canals. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested him on February 27, 2025, under Section 26-A of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act read with Sections 506 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Evidence from his mobile phone, including posts from a Facebook account named “Imran Sindhi,” was presented during the trial.

The court found the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to establish his guilt. Judicial Magistrate Gulraiz Memon placed Ibrahim on one-year probation under a Rs100,000 surety bond, requiring good behaviour, regular reporting to a probation officer and avoidance of illegal online activity.