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Senate panel reviews 13 cybercrime FIRs against journalists
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 7 May 2026 | JP Staff Report
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At an Islamabad meeting, a Senate panel heard 13 FIRs had been lodged against journalists, 11 later cancelled, and officials reported 689 public cybercrime complaints with Punjab processing about 500 online cases. PECA 2025 sends them to NCCIA.Summary
ISLAMABAD — A Senate subcommittee reviewing cybercrime enforcement in Pakistan was informed Wednesday that 13 FIRs had been lodged against journalists, with 11 later canceled following initial investigations.
The briefing was given during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting held in Islamabad under the convenorship of Senator Sarmad Ali. Senators Syed Waqar Mehdi and Jan Muhammad also attended, alongside representatives from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), provincial police departments, Islamabad Police, and legal experts.
Officials informed the committee that a total of 689 FIRs linked to cybercrime complaints involving the general public had also been registered. At the same time, Punjab authorities said around 500 online crime cases were currently under process in the province.
PECA 2025 procedures clarified
During the meeting, Senator Waqar Mehdi raised questions about how cybercrime FIRs are now registered under the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025.
The committee was informed that police stations are no longer authorized to register FIRs for cybercrime cases independently. Instead, all complaints involving cyber offenses are now referred to the NCCIA for investigation under the revised legal framework.
Officials explained that in cases where online activity also results in a conventional or physical crime, separate FIRs may still be registered. One case would be handled by the NCCIA for the cybercrime component, while provincial police would investigate the conventional offense.
Islamabad Police informed the committee that the last cybercrime FIR registered by the force dated back to September 14, 2025, and that all such complaints are now being referred directly to the NCCIA.
Committee seeks stronger coordination
The committee was also told that 29 offenses are currently defined under the PECA law. Punjab officials said 370 FIRs concerning cybercrime had been registered between 2020 and 2025.
Representatives from provincial police departments emphasized that cybercrime enforcement required close coordination between federal and provincial authorities. They said online crimes could not be effectively controlled without active support from provincial police agencies.
A Sindh Police representative informed lawmakers that 55 cybercrime-related FIRs had been registered in the province, including one involving a journalist, and that 33 cases had already been transferred to the NCCIA.
Cybercrime enforcement challenges highlighted
NCCIA officials told the committee that suspects frequently operate through multiple layers of anonymity online, making investigations difficult. They also highlighted the need for stronger cooperation with international social media platforms and digital service providers.
According to the briefing, Pakistan currently has around 140 million active internet users, while officials estimated that nearly 20 percent of social media accounts may be fake and potentially used for fraud, harassment, or blackmail activities.
The NCCIA informed lawmakers that it had received approximately 154,000 complaints over the past year and was working to finalize its operational rules after submitting them to the Ministry of Interior for approval.
In concluding remarks, Senator Sarmad Ali stressed the need to further strengthen the NCCIA’s operational capacity. The subcommittee directed provincial police and courts to transfer relevant cybercrime cases to the agency on a priority and sought detailed reports on transferred and pending cases for its next meeting.
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on information posted by the Senate of Pakistan on its Facebook page on May 6, 2026.
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only
Key Points
- Senate subcommittee met in Islamabad to review cybercrime enforcement.
- Thirteen FIRs were lodged against journalists, of which 11 were later cancelled.
- Officials reported 689 public cybercrime complaints, with Punjab processing about 500 online cases.
- Under PECA 2025 police stations cannot independently register cyber FIRs; complaints are referred to the NCCIA.
- Provincial police continue to investigate any associated conventional or physical offences.
Key Questions & Answers
How many FIRs were lodged against journalists?
Thirteen FIRs were lodged against journalists, and officials said 11 of those were later cancelled following initial investigations.
What does PECA 2025 change about cybercrime FIRs?
Under the amended PECA 2025, police stations cannot independently register cybercrime FIRs; such complaints are referred to the NCCIA for investigation.
How many cybercrime complaints did officials report?
Officials told the panel there were 689 cyber-related complaints involving the public, and Punjab authorities said about 500 online crime cases were under process in the province.
Who attended the subcommittee briefing?
The meeting was convened by Senator Sarmad Ali and attended by Senators Syed Waqar Mehdi and Jan Muhammad, along with representatives of the NCCIA, provincial and Islamabad police and legal experts.
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