ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry presented details in the National Assembly on Monday with regard to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA’s) operational performance over the past five years, reflecting trends in reporting, investigations, case registrations, arrests, convictions, and acquittals.
In a written reply to a question of Ms Naz Baloch, the Interior Ministry told the National Assembly that during the period from 2021 to 2025, the NCCIA received 702,265 complaints, made 468,404 verifications, 982,026 enquires, registered 7,690 cases, made 9,165 arrests, 270 convictions and 1,086 acquittals.
While giving yearly details, the house was told that in 2021, NCCIA received 115,868 complaints, made 80,203 verifications, 15,767 enquires, registered 1,224 cases, made 1,306 arrests, 38 convictions, and 178 acquittals.
In 2022, NCCIA recorded 145,667 complaints, 83,552 verifications, 14,380 enquires, 1,459 cases, 1,700 arrests, 48 convictions, and 102 acquittals.
In 2023, NCCIA recorded 152,136 complaints, 82,396 verifications, 18,012 enquires, 1,375 cases, 2,007 arrests, 93 convictions, and 416 acquittals.
In 2024, NCCIA recorded 161,828 complaints, 108,989 verifications, 24,012 enquires, 1,667 cases, 2,157 arrests, 60 convictions, and 268 acquittals.
In 2025, NCCIA received 126,766 complaints, made 112,663 verifications, 26,036 enquires, registered 1,995 cases, made 2,445 arrests, 33 convictions and 122 acquittals.
The Interior Ministry stated that in order to address the rising surge in cybercrime, the government has adopted a three-tiered strategy focussing on legal reforms, enforcement strengthening, and public awareness & prevention.
“This comprehensive approach enhances regulatory capacity, builds strong investigative institutions, and
promotes cyber-safety among citizens,” it said, adding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (Peca), 2025 introduced significant reforms to modernise the country’s cybercrime framework.
Under Section 51 of Peca 2016, the government formally established the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) as the primary federal authority responsible for investigating cybercrimes nationwide, it stated.
According to the ministry, the government issued the NCCIA Functional Rules 2025, which were officially published in the Gazette, defining the agency’s structure, powers, and operational procedures. The NCCIA has also been designated as the investigating and prosecuting agency under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, expanding its jurisdiction to financial and electronic crimes.
The NCCIA is expanding its operational footprint nationwide, increasing its centres from 15 to 64 to ensure greater accessibility and improved response capacity. In this regard, a request for necessary approvals has been submitted to the secretary, Ministry of Interior. For the human resource enhancement, a PC-1 has been forwarded to the Ministry of Interior to strengthen HR capacity, particularly investigators, given the acute shortage of manpower.
A Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority has been created with the mandate to develop guidelines for online behaviour, regulate digital platforms, remove or block unlawful, harmful, or offensive online content.
Pakistan adopted the National Cyber Security Policy 2021, which provides a strategic framework to protect national digital infrastructure, enhance incident-response capabilities, strengthen public-private cybersecurity coordination and promote nationwide cybersecurity awareness, it stated.
