Committee members criticized NCCIA for inaction despite multiple complaints
Cyber fraud targeting parliamentarians and the ongoing controversy over data leaks dominated discussions at a meeting of the Senate standing committee, which convened on Thursday.
The panel, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, received a detailed briefing from Director General of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Syed Khurram Ali. The briefing addressed corruption within the NCCIA, allegations of bribery against officials and abuse of authority. Sensitive parts of the agenda, including the illegal online sale of Pakistani citizens’ data, were discussed in private.
Following the emergence of a corruption scandal involving some NCCIA officials, Khurram Ali was appointed as the new director general on 2 November.
The meeting took a dramatic turn when several senators revealed they had been defrauded by online fraudsters. Four senators – Bilal Khan Mandokhail, Saifullah Abro, Dilawar Khan and Falak Naz – revealed that they were victims of fraudsters posing as officials or acquaintances.
“I also received a call from these scammers,” said Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, chairman of the committee.
Read: Cybercrime watchdog to reopen all investigations
Senator Saifullah Abro said hackers usually demanded between 500,000 and 550,000 rupees, while Senator Falak Naz said he was defrauded of 500,000 rupees in two installments. Senator Dilawar Khan lost Rs 850,000 through an online transaction.
Senator Naz told the committee that the callers had detailed knowledge of her family and personal details, adding that the scammers had posed as representatives of a “counseling centre”. Members criticized the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for failing to act despite multiple complaints.
The issue of citizens’ personal data leaking online was also raised during the meeting. Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman asked NCCIA officials what steps had been taken to address the violation.
DG NCCIA Syed Khurram Ali said several FIRs were registered and 851 suspects were arrested. He added that coordination was underway with telecommunications companies, whose systems were also being audited, and that resolving the problem could take up to three months.
Learn more: 139 platforms involved in an unmasked data sales racket
The investigation was launched after Express News first reported on the sale of citizen data last year, in 2024, and again on September 7 this year, when it aired another report revealing a new leak. Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi later took notice, ordering a thorough investigation and directing that those responsible be brought to justice.
In September, the PTA blocked 1,372 sites, apps and social media pages involved in selling or sharing personal data. The Interior Ministry has formed a commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.
However, confusion emerged when Senator Palwasha Khan questioned the progress of a ministerial commission of inquiry previously announced by the Home Minister to investigate the data leaks. The Special Secretary for Home Affairs and DG NCCIA claimed they were not aware of the existence of such a committee, sparking serious concerns from senators.
Data leaks
Thousands of Pakistanis, including federal ministers and senior civil servants, were reportedly affected by a breach of personal data available for sale online, Express News reported on September 7.
Also read: Billion-dollar digital fraud: call for effective cyber governance
Data available for purchase included addresses of mobile SIM card owners, call logs, copies of national ID cards and details of foreign travel. The files cover a wide range of people, from federal ministers to PTA spokespeople, and extend to all levels of government.
Despite a similar warning issued by Express News on October 12 last year, the illicit trade continued as weak law enforcement failed to stem the leak. Authorities, including the PTA and NCCIA, have remained largely silent, despite assurances that the offending websites had been shut down.
