On January 20, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA issued a public advisory warning that a single wrong click or careless post on social media could result in imprisonment. The agency urged users to verify any post, news item, or link before sharing it online.

According to the advisory, spreading content without proper verification constitutes a legal violation and can carry serious consequences. The agency emphasised that sharing unverified or false information, particularly targeting the higher judiciary or state institutions, is considered a criminal offence under the law.

The advisory highlighted that under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), individuals found spreading false news may face imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to PKR 2 million.

The NCCIA urged the public to avoid hateful content and fake news, and to promote the responsible and lawful use of social media platforms. The agency stated that by acting responsibly online, citizens can contribute to making the internet and social media safer.