• Summoning the agency’s chief for a briefing on its online portal and enforcement timelines
• Senators seek an update on the revised process for registering blasphemy FIRs
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed deep concern over the lag in processing cybercrime complaints by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the technical glitches plaguing its online complaint portal.
In a session chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the committee reviewed NCCIA’s performance, the delays in addressing cybercrime allegations, procedures followed in blasphemy‑related cases, and the progress on the murder case of Lahore resident Ahmed Javed.
Senator Quratulain Marri reported that she and her family had been targeted in a sustained online harassment campaign, yet no effective action had been taken despite a formal complaint filed through legal counsel.
NCCIA officials explained that both technical and operational challenges had impacted the online complaint system. They assured that written complaints could also be submitted via legal representatives for prompt processing while the portal’s remedial work was underway. The committee was informed that action taken to block or restrict objectionable online content was generally completed within 15 days.
Senator Zehri expressed her dissatisfaction with the delays, questioning whether complainants should remain helpless due to technical excuses. Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan echoed this sentiment.
Consequently, the committee decided to summon the NCCIA Director General for its July 17 meeting to brief on the portal’s status, complaint‑processing delays, enforcement timelines, response protocols, and measures being taken to improve performance.
Blasphemy Cases
The committee also received an update from the Punjab Home Secretary on blasphemy cases. The Secretary noted that a special committee formed to examine such cases had met twice and that an inter‑agency coordination mechanism had been established to strengthen prosecution, improve coordination, and streamline legal proceedings.
The committee was informed that online blasphemy‑related content was monitored through народ dedicated centre, with actionable reports forwarded to the PTA for action.
Senator Zehri requested a detailed briefing on the revised mechanism for registering FIRs in blasphemy cases.
