An online recruitment campaign by the terror network Ftnah Al-Khawarij targeting Punjab’s youth has been uncovered, leading to a successful crackdown by law enforcement agencies.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the authorities broke the network after cyber patrolling and intelligence-based operations and arrested six youth.
The channel reported that the six facilitators (of terrorists), aged between 16 and 23, were arrested in connection with the recruitment campaign.
These individuals were recruited from major cities, including Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Jhelum, and Sargodha, for local facilitation.
Cybercrime authorities revealed that their intensified cyber patrolling helped identify the algorithms and methods used to reach out to media consumers for recruitment.
The details of the campaign and arrests have been forwarded to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, for further action.
The authorities also stated that monitoring of anti-state elements online has been accelerated, ensuring quicker identification and disruption of such networks in the future.
--Who are Fitna al-Khawarij--
In August 2024, the Pakistani government officially labelled the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as "Fitna al-Khawarij."
This designation, issued by the Ministry of Interior, aims to delegitimise the group’s distorted ideology and misuse of religion.
The notification also prohibits the use of religious titles like 'Mufti' and 'Hafiz' for individuals associated with terror groups, mandating the use of "Khariji" as a prefix to their names.
The term “Fitna al-Khawarij” is now required in all official correspondence, reflecting the government’s commitment to exposing the true nature of such organisations.
Authorities have accelerated efforts to monitor anti-state elements online to ensure rapid identification and disruption of similar networks in the future.
Reporter: Irfan Malik