Pakistan sets up cybercrime investigation agency amid crackdown on social media

Pakistan has officially converted the Cybercrime Wing of its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into an independent body, now named the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the FIA announced on Tuesday. The move comes amid rising concerns over digital crackdowns in the country.

This development follows the government’s introduction of a controversial new law regulating social media content—legislation that journalist associations and human rights advocates say threatens press freedom and stifles online dissent.

Originally enacted in 2016, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was intended to tackle offenses such as hacking, cyber harassment, and data breaches. However, recent amendments introduced in January 2025 have significantly tightened the law’s scope, raising concerns over its use against critics and journalists.

In its statement, the FIA said the government had granted full autonomy to its former cybercrime unit in response to the "growing threats of cybercrime," officially rebranding it as the NCCIA.

"The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency has been established with full authority to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime across Pakistan," the statement read.

"It will focus on combating online fraud, harassment, digital blackmail, identity theft, fake websites, social media crimes, and other cyber offenses."
The FIA added that individuals seeking to file cybercrime complaints must now reach out directly to the NCCIA via its helpline (051-9106691) or email (helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk).

This structural shift comes just weeks after Freedom Network, a Pakistani media rights watchdog, raised alarms over the government's social media law, calling it a tool to suppress free expression and target journalists. The organization recorded eight cases of threats against journalists in March 2025 alone, three of which involved PECA.

Despite criticism, Pakistani officials continue to defend the law. According to the draft legislation on Parliament’s website, the PECA law includes the creation of a regulatory authority for social media, complete with its own investigation wing and tribunals. These tribunals have the power to impose prison sentences of up to three years and fines of two million rupees (approx. $7,200) for spreading what is deemed “false or fake” information.

“This is the first time the government has provided a legal definition of social media,” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said after the law was amended.

“There’s already a framework for print and electronic media. Now, complaints can be formally registered for social media as well.”
Journalists in Pakistan have increasingly reported pressure from state authorities on both traditional and digital platforms. The country ranks 152nd out of 180 on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) global press freedom index.

While the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) remains officially banned in Pakistan—though accessible via VPN—platforms like YouTube and TikTok have also faced intermittent restrictions in the past.