Pakistan to establish National Forensic Agency to tackle cybercrime

Pakistan's Senate on Friday approved the National Forensic Agency Act 2024, aiming to enhance forensic capabilities nationwide.

The Act will pave the way for the establishment of the National Forensic Agency, which will be headquartered in Islamabad and provide services to both private and government forensic labs across the country.

Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar presented the bill in the Senate, where it was passed clause by clause.

The legislation aims to improve criminal investigations, eliminate reliance on foreign forensic services and address modern challenges, including cybercrime, deepfakes and digital forensics.

“The bill is crucial for enhancing the country’s forensic framework and bolstering investigations,” Tarar said.

Initially introduced on October 17, 2024, by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the bill passed through the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman.

The new agency will include departments for research, conventional forensics, and a state-of-the-art digital forensic unit. The digital forensics wing will play a key role in matters of national security, assisting law enforcement and courts with expert opinions and admissible evidence.

A board of governors will oversee the agency’s operations. The board will be chaired by the secretary of the relevant division and include key officials such as the Islamabad IG, National Coordinator of NACTA, and Director General (DG) of the National Police Bureau.

The DG, who will serve as the board’s secretary, will be appointed within six months and cannot hold dual citizenship.

In emergencies, a three-member executive committee will manage financial and administrative matters.

The law mandates all federal and provincial authorities to cooperate with the agency, ensuring its effective functioning.

“No action under this Act shall be questioned in any court except as outlined in this Act,” the bill states, protecting agency personnel acting in good faith from legal proceedings.

Opposition parties voiced concerns during the session, arguing the bill infringes on provincial jurisdiction. However, Tarar defended the legislation, stating it is a national necessity. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) withdrew its proposed amendments, allowing the bill to pass smoothly.

The National Forensic Agency will modernize Pakistan’s forensic infrastructure, enhance digital capabilities, and support law enforcement agencies nationwide.