Senate panel questions NCCIA performance as MPs share online fraud ordeal

ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate Committee on Interior raised concern over the performance of National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) revealing that even Members of Parliament became victims of online hackers, losing millions of rupees through sophisticated digital scams.

Fraudsters, possessing detailed personal information, impersonated officials and deceived lawmakers through telephone calls and fake counselling schemes.

The committee met with its Chairman Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman in the chair here Thursday. It expressed grave concern over rising complaints of misconduct and inefficiency in the agency.

Senators Saifullah Abro, Falak Naz, Bilal Khan and Dilawar Khan shared personal experiences of fraud committed against them by organised cybercrime gangs.

Senator Falak Naz Chitrali told the committee that scammers had detailed information about her family and children. “A man named Faisal called me in the name of setting up a counselling centre and managed to collect money,” she revealed, expressing disappointment that despite repeated complaints to the NCCIA, no hearing was held. The DG NCCIA assured the committee that this matter would be resolved within a week’s time.

The NCCIA director general delivered a comprehensive briefing on the growing incidents of cybercrimes, fake calls and bank frauds affecting ordinary citizens across the country.

Senator Shahadat Awan highlighted a critical gap in the justice process, observing that there is a lack of prosecution in the NCCIA. He noted that while FIRs are registered, no substantial progress follows and many cases remain pending before courts.

In response, the DG NCCIA acknowledged administrative lapses and capacity constraints within his authority. He informed the committee that a complete structural revamp of the NCCIA is underway and will be completed within six months. He further stated that new personnel with strong technical backgrounds will be inducted into the agency within three months.

The committee further deliberated upon the issuance of official gratis machine-readable passports to the Deputy Chairman Senate, Deputy Speaker National Assembly and chairmen of the standing committees of the Senate.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri requested to defer her bill, Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025, due to her personal engagements.

The committee also considered the case of the failure of police to arrest the murderers of the brother and nephew of Senator Aslam Abro.