New agency to be set up to probe cybercrimes

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar informed the National Assembly on Monday that an approval had been given to set up new National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency in the country, as the FIA lacked capacity to investigate cybercrimes.

Responding to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the National Assembly, he said hand-holding would continue till fully operationalisation of new cybercrimes investigation agency. “It would also be examined which employees of the FIA would be merged in the new cybercrimes investigation agency,” he added. The minister said cybercrimes cases already pending with the FIA would not be closed and transferred to the new agency.

The replies were given to the question of Sharmila Faruqui, who asked about details of the cybercrimes during the last three years. The interior ministry presented details of last three years incident, reported to the cyber wing.

According to details, in year 2021, 115,868 complaints were reported to cybercrime, verification of 80,803 cases was carried out, 15,766 inquiries were conducted, 1,223 FIRs were registered, 38 convictions were made and 88 suspects were acquitted.

In year 2022, 136,024 complaints were received by cybercrime wing, verification of 83,552 was carried out, 14,380 enquiries were completed, 1,469 FIRs were registered, 48 convictions were made and 177 suspects were acquitted.

In year 2023, 134,710 complaints were received by the cybercrime wing, verification of 82,396 was carried out, 18,012 enquiries were conducted, 1,375 FIRs were registered, 92 convictions were made and 102 suspects were acquitted.

While replying a supplementary question, the information minister informed the National Assembly that the recent decline in inflation to single digit was an evidence of prudent economic policies of the federal government. He said for the first time in last three years, inflation was recorded at 9.6 per cent, as per reports of the State Bank of Pakistan. Atta Tarar said inflation was mere four per cent during the PMLN government, led by Nawaz Sharif, in 2018, which then surged to 22 per cent. “Inflation in a single digit is a proof of success under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he said.