An eight-month investigation by The News Investigation Cell has revealed an alleged attempt by a network of foreign-linked operatives to recruit a Pakistani journalist to publish anti-army articles and obtain unpublished information in exchange for long-term financial rewards and relocation abroad.
According to the investigation, the network initially contacted the journalist through Facebook in November 2025, with a woman claiming to represent a Dubai-based public relations company. She later disclosed that her clients wanted ready-made opinion articles published in Pakistan’s mainstream media, focusing on topics including Pakistan’s military leadership, the economy, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan-China relations, Afghanistan and Balochistan.
The investigation documented the alleged operation using WhatsApp and Facebook conversations, recorded calls, financial transaction records and article drafts. Although the journalist rejected the proposal, the operative continued offering increasing payments and sought details about Pakistan’s media landscape, editorial processes and ways to amplify published content through social media platforms.
The network allegedly offered Rs70,000 for publishing the first article, including an advance payment, while insisting that payments be made through cryptocurrency. After the request for crypto payments was declined, funds were transferred through digital payment channels. The investigation states that a total of Rs103,000 was received during the operation solely to document the recruitment methodology and preserve evidence.
Over the following months, the operative allegedly sent three publication-ready opinion pieces criticising Pakistan’s military leadership, the government’s economic policies and the SIFC. One article was later revised to specifically mention Pakistan’s military chief and Punjab’s chief minister. When asked to provide evidence supporting the claims, the operative reportedly shared tweets and social media posts from Pakistan-critical activists based abroad.
As the engagement progressed, the requests expanded beyond article placement. The operative allegedly asked the journalist to obtain unpublished information, particularly regarding developments along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and sought details about contacts within government departments and other institutions. The investigation states the journalist neither provided confidential information nor agreed to obtain it, continuing the engagement only to document the alleged recruitment process.
In the final phase, acting under the editorial supervision of Editor Investigation Ansar Abbasi, the journalist confronted the operative about possible links to a foreign intelligence agency during a recorded WhatsApp call. Rather than denying the allegation, the operative reportedly discussed arranging employment in Europe and relocating the journalist and his family if the operation was exposed.
The following day, a man identifying himself as the operative’s superior allegedly increased the payment offer to Rs170,000 per article, including Rs70,000 for publication expenses and Rs100,000 for the journalist. He also reportedly promised visas for the journalist, his wife and children within a week if relocation became necessary and claimed he could help secure employment in the international media industry.
During the conversation, the caller denied any intelligence agency links but allegedly claimed he had played “a small role” in the Pegasus spyware episode, an assertion that The News said it could not independently verify.
Recognising the potential national security implications, The News Investigation Cell informed the relevant government authorities. While the investigation could not independently establish who financed the operation, authored the supplied articles or directed the network, it said the documentary evidence recorded repeated offers of money, attempts to publish externally prepared anti-army political articles, requests for unpublished information and discussions about relocating the journalist abroad if the operation was uncovered.
Also read: Adil Raja is being paid a hefty salary by Afghan Intelligence, reveals Afghan Journalist
