National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency

The Islamabad High Court ordered the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist Asad Toor with details of allegations against him after he challenged a summons. The NCCIA had accused Toor of disseminating false information and required him to appear for an inquiry. The National Press Club criticized the notice, warning against threats to press freedom.

The Lahore High Court granted interim protective bail to Noreen Niazi, sister of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, in a PECA case involving allegations of derogatory remarks against state institutions. The court allowed her to appear in Islamabad after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case for inflammatory social media content.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) summoned journalist Asad Ali Toor for allegedly spreading false information under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. The National Press Club condemned the summons, citing threats to press freedom, while Toor shared the notice on X alongside poetry by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Toor was previously arrested in 2024 on similar charges.

A National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) official informed a Lahore court that PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar was found guilty of harassing actor Momina Iqbal following an investigation. The court extended Chadhar and his wife's pre-arrest bail until September 3, with final arguments scheduled for the next hearing.

The article discusses the suppression of free speech in Pakistan under an authoritarian regime that uses legal measures like the Indian Penal Code's Section 124A and cybercrime agencies to silence dissent. It argues that systemic issues, inherited from colonial-era laws, perpetuate repression, and regime change alone cannot resolve the problem.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled petitions seeking suspension of sentences for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in a controversial tweets case as admissible, rejecting the prosecution’s claim of premature filing. The couple was sentenced to 17 years in jail on charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) for posts alleging security forces’ ineffectiveness against proscribed groups.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its order on petitions seeking suspension of sentences for Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, who were convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The prosecution argued the petitions were premature, requesting the court first address their admissibility before considering the suspension requests.

Arrest warrants were issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear in court multiple times in a case involving alleged misleading statements and defamation of state institutions. Former senator Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry petitioned the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court's refusal to suspend his sentence for alleged involvement in conspiracy meetings linked to violent events.

A sessions court in Lahore granted post-arrest bail to podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case involving blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The court allowed bail with a Rs100,000 surety bond after defense arguments about lack of evidence and constitutional protections were accepted, despite prosecution claims that his podcast questions could provoke religious discord.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing on Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha's plea challenging the Islamabad High Court's decision to deny their request for suspended sentences. The couple was sentenced to 17 years in jail under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for social media posts criticizing security forces.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) established a cryptocurrency investigation unit within its National Command and Control Centre (NC3) to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing through virtual currencies. The unit will collaborate with agencies like the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and Anti-Narcotics Force to address crypto use in cybercrime and drug trade.

NCCIA summoned Noreen Niazi, sister of former incarcerated prime minister Imran Khan, for allegedly disseminating false, offensive, and inflammatory content against state institutions. The agency directed her to appear on July 20, with non-compliance punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The summons follows her social media claims about a military conflict with India being orchestrated to improve the military's image, involving allegations against Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.

A Lahore sessions court extended the pre-arrest bail of PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife until July 28, as they face charges of cyber harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation against television actress Momina Iqbal. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is investigating the case under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Pakistan Penal Code.

A judicial magistrate granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of YouTuber Rehan Tariq in a case involving blasphemy and electronic crime charges. The FIR was registered after Tariq's podcast discussed sensitive sectarian issues, and he was arrested at Lahore Airport upon returning from abroad.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will establish a dedicated special cell in Punjab to expedite investigations into cybercrimes against women and children, including harassment, blackmail, and digital exploitation. The initiative aims to provide swift legal assistance and protection, with direct supervision to ensure efficiency. A 2025 Digital Rights Foundation report highlighted a 28% rise in cyber harassment cases involving minors, with Punjab accounting for 69.5% of reported incidents.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has prioritized cases involving blackmail, harassment, and harm to women's dignity, arresting 10 suspects in Punjab across Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad. The agency emphasized swift action on such complaints, recovering digital evidence and focusing on cases causing psychological and reputational harm.

A local court in Islamabad reissued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for failing to appear in a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) alleges he shared misleading content against state institutions. Separately, vlogger Sohrab Barkat was granted a four-day physical remand for a YouTube video related to the Joint Action Committee.

PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar secured interim pre-arrest bail from a Lahore court after being booked for allegedly harassing actor Momina Iqbal. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered a case against Chadhar under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Pakistan Penal Code, citing allegations of cyber harassment, stalking, and threats. The court barred the agency from arresting Chadhar until June 24.