What lawmakers asked agencies to do
Pakistan’s Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has told state bodies to move harder against crypto fraud, wider cyber offences, abuse of mobile SIMs and messaging accounts, and schemes that target people chasing foreign degrees. Chair Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri instructed the competent departments to strengthen how cases are examined, publish plain deadlines for handling complaints, and adopt workable measures so victims can reclaim lost funds.
Senators also raised alarm about ransomware, bogus investment pitches, doubtful bank accounts, and the harvesting of personal data. They wanted campus drives that warn students about phishing, dubious links, and money traps online, plus firmer steps against harmful material children can open on social platforms.
Study-abroad cheating and a death under review
Attention turned to cheating around overseas study, visas and jobs. Members noted that roughly Rs5 million had already been clawed back in one matter placed before them. They also discussed the death of Laiba Ijaz, a gold-medallist from the International Islamic University Islamabad, which the sitting linked to alleged money fraud and forged papers for admission to a US university.
Officials were told to report where that inquiry stands and to keep police, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA — the federal cybercrime wing), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Higher Education Commission (HEC — the university regulator) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs working together rather than in silos.
Hostages near Somalia
Separately, the committee examined Pakistani seafarers taken hostage near Somalia. It sought clarity on payments to families, care for wounded crew, and bringing home the remains of a sailor who died. Departments were ordered to file paperwork on wages, medical help and other support from April through September, and to confirm whether reported state aid actually reached those entitled to it.
Attendance gaps and what comes next
Members objected when HEC and Foreign Ministry officers did not show up. Both were instructed to come to the following session with files and oral briefings. Senator Zehri underlined that agencies must answer for failures, talk to one another, and deliver prompt help to people hit by fraud and other rights harms.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Senate ki human rights committee ne kaha ke crypto fraud aur online dhoke par sakhti ho. Unhon ne agencies ko behtar investigation, shikayat ke waqt ki had, aur logon ka paisa wapas dilane ko kaha. Overseas education aur visa scams par bhi baat hui; ek case mein lagbhag 50 lakh rupay wapas milne ka zikr hua. Aam logon ke liye matlab yeh hai ke shikayat jaldi suni jaye aur campus par online dhoke se bachne ki hidayat di jaye.
