Committee members criticized the NCCIA for failing to act despite multiple complaints
Cyber fraud targeting parliamentarians and the ongoing data leak controversy dominated discussions during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee which met on Thursday.
The panel, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, received a detailed briefing from the Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Syed Khurram Ali. The briefing dealt with corruption in the NCCIA, allegations of bribery against officers and abuse of authority. Sensitive parts of the agenda, including the illegal online sale of Pakistani citizens’ data, were kept private.
Following the emergence of a corruption scandal involving some officers of the NCCIA, Khurram Ali was appointed as the new Director General on 2 November.
The meeting took a dramatic turn when several senators revealed that they had been defrauded by online fraudsters. Four senators – Bilal Khan Mandokhail, Saifullah Abro, Dilawar Khan and Falak Naz – revealed that they had fallen victim to fraudsters posing as officials or acquaintances.
“I also received a call from these fraudsters,” said committee chairman Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman.
Read: Cybercrime watchdog reopens all inquiries
Senator Saifullah Abro said the hackers typically demanded between Rs500,000 and Rs550,000, while Senator Falak Naz reported being duped of Rs500,000 in two installments. Senator Dilawar Khan lost Rs850,000 through an online transaction.
Senator Naz told the committee that the callers had detailed knowledge of her family and personal data, adding that the scammers had posed as representatives of a “counselling centre”. Members criticized the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for failing to act despite multiple complaints.
The issue of citizens’ personal data being leaked online was also raised during the meeting. Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman asked NCCIA officials what measures had been taken to address the breach.
DG NCCIA Syed Khurram Ali said several FIRs had been registered and 851 suspects arrested. He added that coordination was underway with telecommunications companies whose systems were also being audited and that the resolution of the matter could take up to three months.
Read more: 139 platforms in data sales racket exposed
The probe was launched after Express News first reported on the sale of citizens’ data last year, in 2024, and again on September 7 this year, when it issued another report revealing a new leak. Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi subsequently took notice, ordered a full investigation and ordered those responsible to be brought to justice.
In September, the PTA blocked 1,372 websites, apps and social media pages involved in selling or sharing personal data. The Ministry of the Interior had set up an inquiry committee to investigate the matter.
However, confusion arose when Senator Palwasha Khan questioned the progress of a ministerial inquiry committee announced earlier by the home minister to look into the data leak. Both the Special Home Secretary and DG NCCIA claimed they were not aware of such a committee, prompting great concern from senators.
Data leak
Thousands of Pakistanis – including federal ministers and senior government officials – were allegedly affected by a breach of personal data available for sale online, Express News had reported on September 7.
Read also: Billion dollar digital fraud: call for effective cyber governance
Data available for purchase included mobile SIM owners’ addresses, call logs, copies of national identity cards and information on foreign travel. The records span a wide range of individuals, from federal ministers to PTA spokespeople, and cut across levels of government.
Despite a similar warning issued by Express News on October 12 last year, the illegal trade continued, with lax enforcement failing to stem the leak. Authorities, including the PTA and NCCIA, remained largely silent – despite assurances that offending websites were being shut down.
