ISPR Shia Bot Farms: Inside Pakistan’s Forced Digital Propaganda Network

"The ISPR Shia Bot Farms scandal reveals a disturbing system of coerced digital labour within Pakistan’s military propaganda apparatus. Recent investigations suggest that ISPR allegedly forces members of the persecuted Ahmadiyya and Shia communities to operate pro-Army social media accounts under threat of blasphemy charges".

Web Desk

In social media discussions about the Pakistan Army, one frequently encounters aggressive accounts that vehemently defend every military action. This display of ferocity, dedication, and aggression might lead an observer to believe the Army enjoys widespread and fervent public support. However, according to this investigation, these so-called “pro-Army” social media accounts are allegedly run by individuals recruited through forced digital labour, primarily targeting the highly persecuted Ahmadiyya community.

Allegations of Forced Recruitment: Who are the Ahmadiyya?

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, often pejoratively referred to as “Qadianis,” are a religious minority in Pakistan. They are distinct from the Shia branch of Islam. While exact figures are difficult to obtain due to historical census boycotts and persecution, estimates suggest the Ahmadiyya population in Pakistan ranges from 2 to 5 million, representing approximately 0.3\% to 2.2\% of the total population. Despite being prominent in the movement for Pakistan's creation, the community was declared non-Muslim by the state in 1974, and members frequently face institutional discrimination and persecution.

How is Forced Recruitment Executed?

Pakistan is notorious for its harsh blasphemy laws, which carry a potential death penalty and are frequently weaponised against religious minorities, including Christians and the Ahmadiyya community.

The central claim is that Pakistani intelligence agencies (specifically ISI) monitor and track down Ahmadiyya individuals for minor infractions or due to their minority status. They are then openly threatened with fabricated blasphemy charges. The agencies reportedly offer a “deal”, In exchange for immunity from prosecution and the death sentence, the victim must agree to work as a digital operative under the command of an ISI or ISPR officer specializing in social media propaganda.

The Shia Digital Slave Labour

To avoid the severe consequences of the blasphemy law, the victims allegedly work relentlessly, continuously spreading ISI narratives. Their tasks include whitewashing the Pakistan Army’s actions and denying issues such as the persecution of Baloch and Pashtun communities or military interference in politics.

Their operational toolkit always consists of a set of pre-approved keywords and phrases they are required to paste into the comment sections of any post deemed "anti-Army."

These "Shia bot farms" were reportedly exposed accidentally earlier this year when Karachi-based analyst, author, journalist Ali K. Chishti was chatting with a fake social media profile. Subsequent investigations have uncovered a massive network of forced digital labour utilising members of the Ahmadiyya community.

To understand the recruitment process and target communities, researchers reportedly interviewed over a dozen members of the Ahmadiyya community living in Europe and the Gulf states, claiming these interviews corroborated the existence of the forced labour network.

A Witness Account

"Suhail" (name changed), born in Parachinar (Kurram Agency) and currently working in Western Europe, shared a typical story. His family lives in Punjab, where his younger brother runs a business. After an altercation with a local man escalated to a police matter, his Shia identity was allegedly discovered. The ISI was alerted, and the police reportedly began coercing him with fabricated blasphemy allegations. An ISI officer then allegedly offered "mercy" if he agreed to work for a specific Army assignment, thereby trapping him in the web of forced digital labour. After his recruitment, he discovered 50-plus Ahmadiyya youths and 9 Kurram-origin Shias in his office, working as ISPR bots!

Propaganda Targets and Keywords

The three primary targets of the alleged ISPR Shia Bots are:

* Imran Khan’s PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf)

* Afghans and Pashtuns

* Indian users

Target Group | Commonly Used Alleged Bot Terminology

For Afghans/Pashtuns they use slurs like “Afgandoo,” “Namak Haraam,” “illiterate cavemen,” “beghairat,” “Amrikee kutte,” “Indian agents,” “Bacche Baaz,” “naan wale” etc etc.

For Imran Khan's PTI Supporters they use “Youthias,” “Imrandoo” (used against those opposing the Army)

For Indian Users they would blindly paste “6-0” (referring to a delusional claim of six Rafale jets being shot down during a Ops Sindoor); later changed to “8-0” as Trump raised the figure!

Several social media accounts, including @Tactical_Tipu, @MarkhorTweetss, @beingRebel9, @Aadiiroy2, @Abdullahs_56, and @war_analysts, are cited as active examples of these suspected Shia slave bot operatives, with claims that hundreds more are being monitored.

The issue of these Shia digital slave operatives is alarming, and the international human-rights community should investigate these claims to ensure the freedom of those reportedly trapped in this modern form of digital slavery.