The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is setting up a dedicated special cell in Punjab to speed up the registration, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime cases involving women and children.
According to officials, NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim said the unit would offer victims expedited legal assistance, protection and institutional support, ensuring complaints are investigated without delay.
The specialised cell will handle cases of online harassment, cyberstalking, blackmail, digital exploitation, identity theft, and the misuse or circulation of private photographs and videos, along with other technology-enabled offences against women and minors.
All such cases will remain under the direct supervision of the relevant deputy director to ensure close monitoring, swift investigation and effective coordination.
Wasim said the NCCIA had adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward cyber offenders, warning that those found involved in such crimes would face strict legal action under relevant laws.
He said the cell was created to provide a safer digital environment for women and children amid rising concerns over the misuse of online platforms for harassment, intimidation and exploitation, and urged victims to approach the agency without fear, adding that every complaint would be handled promptly and lawfully.
The move comes as the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), in its 2025 annual report, warned of a sharp rise in cyber harassment cases, particularly those involving minors, with an average of 250 cases reported each month.
Cases involving minors rose 28 percent in 2025, climbing to 159 from 124 the previous year. Punjab accounted for 69.5 percent of all reported cases, which the DRF attributed to the province’s population size and comparatively better access to reporting mechanisms.
The report noted that while 79 percent of cyber harassment cases in the country were referred to the NCCIA, access to justice remained limited, as only 51 percent of complaints originated from cities with operational cybercrime offices, forcing many victims to travel long distances to file complaints.
