LAHORE – An alleged video linked to Salman Mehdi went viral on social media, quickly spreading through WhatsApp and Facebook and sparking controversy. He filed cybercrime complaint, claiming it was part of a coordinated effort to defame him, prompting NCCIA to launch an investigation to trace the source and spread of the content.
The alleged clip spreading, primarily through WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages, before rapidly gaining traction across multiple online networks. Its circulation has triggered concerns over both reputational harm and the potential use of manipulated or AI-generated content.
Amid the buzz online, Salman Shahid Mehdi submitted written complaint to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Lahore, alleging that he is the target of a coordinated online campaign aimed at defamation and digital harassment. The complaint attributes responsibility to two named individuals, Abdullah and Mudassar, while also listing more than 25 additional persons as alleged unidentified accomplices involved in further dissemination.
NCCIA Lahore responded by issuing a notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC), directing a suspect identified as Mudassar son of Manzoor Ahmad to appear before investigators on June 8, 2026. He has also been instructed to produce his mobile phone for forensic analysis, with investigators reportedly focusing on WhatsApp activity from May 1, 2026 onward.
In a separate submission to the Deputy Director NCCIA Lahore, the complainant further alleged that the content forming the basis of the controversy is not authentic and may include AI-generated explicit imagery and video material. He claims this material is being deliberately circulated to damage his political and personal reputation.
The complaint said the content has been in circulation since June 1, 2026, and has appeared in multiple WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages, including one identified as “Insaaf Group of Pakistan Burewala.” Investigators are examining whether this represents isolated sharing or part of a broader, coordinated dissemination effort.
Authorities have characterized the matter as a cybercrime investigation involving potential digital impersonation, harassment, and misuse of social media platforms. While no formal conclusions have been announced, officials confirm that forensic digital tracking is underway to identify the original source of the content, map its early spread, and determine the role of both named and unnamed individuals.
Cybercrime investigators are reportedly using advanced forensic tools to reconstruct the timeline of distribution, including tracing IP logs, device identifiers, and messaging networks associated with the circulation of the material.
