ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Saturday registered a case against a man identified as Muhammad Sohail, allegedly for uploading and promoting content on social media that the authorities say was “false, misleading and derogatory” towards state institutions.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered under sections 11, 20 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, the accused, Muhammad Sohail, son of Muhammad Sattar, resident of Bara, Khyber district, disseminated a video through a YouTube channel titled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Official (PTIOfficialPK). The video, titled “Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi media talk outside Adiala Jail,” allegedly contained statements deemed offensive and defamatory towards the state institutions.
The FIR, numbered 310/2025 and registered at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Islamabad, stated that the accused “knowingly and deliberately, with mala fide intentions, uttered false and unfounded allegations with the intent to malign and defame the reputation and integrity of the state institutions of Pakistan.”
Investigators claimed the video and its dissemination were “an organised attempt to undermine public trust, incite unrest and destabilise national security.” The report added that Sohail was also involved in “preparing, publishing, sharing and circulating fake and misleading content on social media platforms.”
The inquiry, conducted under Enquiry No 2287/2025, concluded on November 8, 2025, leading to the registration of the case the following day. Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad has been tasked with investigating the matter.
Officials said the “role of other individuals, if any, will be determined during the course of investigation.”
There was no immediate response from the accused or representatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding the allegations, till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC), Islamabad, has registered a major case against senior officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Rawalpindi, for their alleged involvement in a massive bribery and extortion network linked to illegal call centres operated by Chinese nationals in a housing society in Rawalpindi.
According to FIR No 97/2025, registered on November 8, the case was initiated after Enquiry No326/2025 revealed that around fifteen illegal call centres, including MAKJ International Pvt Ltd and C Dragon Casino, were operating under the alleged protection of NCCIA officers and extorting large sums from the public through fraudulent schemes.
The report names thirteen accused, including Additional Director Shahzad Haider, Deputy Director Haider Abbas, Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bilal, frontman and Blue Hawks Security owner Hassan Ameer, Additional Director Amir Nazir, Assistant Director Nadeem Ahmed Khan, Deputy Director Anti-Blasphemy Unit Salman Awan, Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, Sub-Inspector Usman Basharat, Sub-Inspector Zaheer Abbas Niazi, frontman Tahir Mohi-ud-Din, Sub-Inspector Mian Irfan and a Chinese national identified as Guo Kaixuan alias Kelvin.
Investigations revealed that the officers, in connivance with Chinese nationals, extorted more than Rs300 million from the call centres between September 2024 and July 2025. They reportedly collected Rs15 million a month from the centres as protection money. Additional Director Shahzad Haider, Deputy Director Haider Abbas and Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bilal received fixed monthly shares, while Hassan Ameer acted as their intermediary. Bilal also allegedly demanded Rs800,000 as a “cooperation fee” from newly opened call centres.
The FIR further states that during a raid in Sector F-11, Islamabad, the accused, along with their frontman Hassan Ameer, extorted Rs40 million from a Chinese national named Leo. After changes in the NCCIA Rawalpindi management in May 2025, the new officers, including Additional Director Amir Nazir, Assistant Director Nadeem Ahmed Khan and Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, allegedly continued the same corrupt practices.
Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, with the help of frontman Tahir Mohi-ud-Din, reportedly took Rs21 million in bribes from Areeba Rubab, the wife of Guo Kaixuan alias Kelvin, in exchange for releasing her husband and thirteen other Chinese detainees. Digital evidence, including video footage and WhatsApp messages showing physical abuse and negotiations, has been collected by the FIA investigators.
The FIR also mentions that Deputy Director Salman Awan was previously charged in FIR No. 27/2023 for taking Rs10.05 million in bribe and was caught red-handed. He has been described as a habitual offender.
The FIR concludes that the group led by Shahzad Haider and associates allegedly extorted around Rs250 million, while the group led by Amir Nazir and associates collected about Rs50 million.
The case has been registered under Sections 109, 161, 386, and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The investigation is being carried out by Assistant Director Muhammad Safeer Ahmed, Inspector Muhammad Waheed Khan and Sub-Inspector Shamas Gondal of FIA ACC, Islamabad.
FIA officials said that the involvement of other individuals, if any, will be determined during the ongoing investigation.