ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has received 140 complaints from the Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing during the financial year 2025-26, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs was informed on Wednesday.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of MNA Rana Iradat Sharif Khan at the Parliament House.

Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, told the committee that the complaints referred to the NCCIA comprised 80 cases of cyber financial fraud, 17 cases of cyberbullying, 29 cases of cyber harassment, six cases of visa fraud, five cases of identity theft and three general complaints.

The NCCIA representative apprised the committee that the agency had adopted a multi-dimensional approach to addressing cybercrime, encompassing investigation, digital forensics, coordination with relevant institutions and public awareness initiatives.

New cybercrime investigation agency’s chief assumes charge

The agency has also established a dedicated, web-based Complaints Management Unit for receiving and processing complaints.

Complaints are submitted through various channels, including the Email Desk, the Online Complaints Portal, in-person at any of the 15 cyber crime reporting centres across the country or at the NCCIA headquarters, and through postal correspondence.

The representative of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) informed the committee about measures taken to provide relief to complainants whose grievances were received through the Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing.

The complaints had been processed in accordance with the nature of the cases and the eligibility status of the complainants.

The representative of the National Highway Authority (NHA) briefed the committee on the operations of the toll plaza on the Okara-Patoki section, particularly with regard to road maintenance and the overall condition of road infrastructure, with a view to addressing difficulties faced by commuters.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) briefed the committee that it had received 18 complaints regarding financial assistance and scholarships for higher studies and 19 complaints related to the distribution of laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme.

The complaints were addressed by the concerned authorities, as eligibility criteria were strictly observed in both cases.

Moreover, the government does not extend financial support for higher studies on an individual basis. Fateha was offered for the departed soul of the late committee member, Chaudhry Mohammad Bashir Virk. The committee paid tribute to his honesty and dedication to his parliamentary responsibilities and acknowledged his valuable services to parliament and his constituency.

It observed that his contributions and services would be remembered with respect. The meeting was attended by MNAs Muneeba Iqbal, Shazia Fareed, Malik Shah, Izbal Zehri, Naveed Aamir, Hameed Hussain, Naeema Kishwer Khan, Secretary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and other senior officers from NCCIA, BISP, HEC and NHA.

Meanwhile, former Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi has assumed charge as Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Immediately after taking charge, the NCCIA director general convened a meeting with directors, additional directors, deputy directors and assistant directors from across Pakistan.

Laying out a clear policy, Mr Rizvi said negative propaganda against the state or any state institution would not be tolerated. Strict legal action would be taken against anyone involved in anti-state propaganda.

He made it clear that the use of abusive language against women on social media or any attempt to harass a woman would invite the severest possible action. Those who publish such posts targeting mothers, sisters and daughters would be dealt with strictly, he added.

All officers must clearly understand that dishonesty and corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances, he said, adding that immediate action would be taken against any officer found involved in corruption.

“Skimming, illegal online activities, gambling applications and illegal call centres will not be tolerated,” he said, adding that a strict crackdown against them would be initiated.

These were the directives issued by the NCCIA director general to the officers.

The NCCIA was being linked with the nationwide emergency helpline ‘15’ so that calls regarding the agency received on the line could immediately be relayed to it. Universal contact numbers would also be provided to citizens to ensure easy access for the general public, Mr Rizvi said.

Each officer’s performance would be reviewed every 24 hours, while official work would be closely monitored and used as the basis for performance appraisals.

Cyber patrolling would be intensified to continuously monitor criminal activities on social media platforms and the internet, enabling strict action against offenders.

Pending cases must be resolved as quickly as possible, he said.

“Malicious propaganda and anti-state activities will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and no laxity in this regard is acceptable,” Mr Rizvi warned the officers.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2026