Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the newly formed National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is struggling with a severe shortage of investigators, and that he will raise the issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking to journalists at the agency's Lahore headquarters on Friday, Naqvi said the growing number of cybercrime cases has left the NCCIA unable to keep up with its workload.
"Thousands of cases are being reported and some matters require decisions within days rather than weeks or months," he said. He asked how an investigating officer could work if handed 3,000 to 4,000 cases. He said the transactions linked to these cases range from Rs10,000 to millions of rupees.
Only 61 officers for Punjab
Naqvi said Punjab has a population of around 140 million, while the NCCIA has only 61 officers across the province. He presented the figure as part of the pressure on the investigation system. The NCCIA staff shortage, in his account, is the core of the problem.
He also said the government is pursuing cooperation with other countries and keeps daily contact with embassies on cybercrime matters.
A warning on online blackmail
Naqvi stressed the need for a nationwide awareness campaign, particularly to protect women and girls from online blackmail. He advised people, especially young women, not to share personal photographs with others online. He said authorities had encountered cases in which victims shared their pictures and were later blackmailed.
"Cases involving girls being blackmailed are among the most common complaints," he said.
What happens next
Naqvi said he would take the personnel shortage up with the prime minister. He did not give a timeline for filling posts or adding investigators. Until staffing improves, the agency's capacity to handle complaints quickly remains the main question for people who report cybercrime.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Cybercrime ki jaanch karne wali federal agency NCCIA mein investigators ki kami hai, aur bohat se cases ka bojh hai. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ne kaha hai ke woh yeh masla Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ke saamne rakhenge. Punjab mein sirf 61 officers hain, is liye faislay mein der ho sakti hai. Naqvi ne mashwara diya hai ke online apni personal tasveerein kisi ke saath share na karein.
