LAHORE, PAKISTAN: The Punjab government has decided to form its own provincial cybercrime agency, expressing growing dissatisfaction with the performance of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who emphasized the need for faster and more effective action against the rising tide of online fraud, harassment, and digital blackmail.
According to officials, the move comes after repeated complaints from citizens and law enforcement regarding NCCIA’s delayed investigations and limited efficiency in addressing local cybercrime cases. The proposed agency — expected to be called the Cybercrime Wing Punjab — will operate independently under the provincial setup, focusing on swift complaint resolution and data protection for residents.
Sources revealed that the new agency will handle cases of online harassment, identity theft, social media fraud, and cyber extortion. It will also establish stronger coordination with international platforms to ensure quicker access to digital evidence. The Punjab government believes this step will help curb the “unchecked rise of digital crimes” that often go unresolved under the current federal system.
However, civil rights advocates have voiced concerns about potential political misuse of the new agency, warning that it must not be weaponized against journalists or political critics. The provincial administration has reassured that the initiative aims purely at public safety and technological modernization — not surveillance or censorship.
Analysts say Punjab’s move signals a shift toward digital autonomy in governance, marking a new phase in how provinces tackle cyber threats in Pakistan’s evolving online landscape.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.