Lawmakers in Pakistan raise alarm over surge in online abuse of women

Pakistan’s cybercrime authorities warned lawmakers on Tuesday that a surge in online abuse targeting women is overwhelming the country’s investigative systems, highlighting the growing threat of digital gender-based violence.

Officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) told the parliamentary Gender Mainstreaming Committee that the agency has received more than 22,515 complaints related to crimes against women to date. Severe staff shortages have strained investigations, with individual officers handling up to 70 cases simultaneously.

The director general of NCCIA informed the committee that the agency is facing severe resource constraints, including shortages of trained staff and financial allocations. He added that in 2025, the agency received 22,500 complaints, of which 620 cases were registered and only 26 led to convictions, meaning that, on average, one officer is responsible for roughly 565 complaints.

The NCCIA Chairman highlighted critical budgetary gaps, a lack of investigation officers - especially female officers - and an absence of dedicated prosecutors.

The chairperson of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on measures taken this year, reporting that over 1.5 million URLs had been blocked, including 6,042 related to defamation and impersonation, and 13,780 linked to immoral content. He also noted that 5,000 unauthorized SIM cards had been identified and blocked.

The committee emphasized the need for stronger coordination with international digital platforms and robust policies to ensure accountability.

The NCCIA currently operates 15 reporting centers nationwide, with plans to expand to 64, but several regions remain without dedicated offices. Even its Islamabad office in sector G-13 functions from rented premises.

Complaints initially filed with the Federal Investigation Agency are also being redirected to the NCCIA, further increasing the agency’s workload. In 2022, the NCCIA received 779 complaints, resolving only 17, while 2025 data shows mixed progress.

Capacity constraints are compounded by a shortage of female officers, with only 33 assigned nationwide to handle gender-based cybercrime cases.

Earlier, the committee, chaired by lawmaker Nafisa Shah, was briefed by the Human Rights Cell on a rapidly deteriorating digital environment for women.

Officials said women in Pakistan are increasingly targeted through AI-generated deepfake videos, non-consensual sharing of private images, cyberstalking, and organized online harassment campaigns. Women journalists and social activists face particular risks from coordinated trolling and threats.

Call for stronger laws and improved enforcement

The Human Rights Cell noted that around 8 million women accessed mobile internet services in Pakistan in 2024, a figure linked to a sharp rise in digital abuse. Leaked or fabricated images are frequently used to blackmail women, exploiting social stigma around so-called “honor.”

Threats of sexual violence and character assassination are among the most dangerous forms of abuse, while reporting mechanisms remain complex and difficult to navigate.

Committee members criticized weak enforcement and slow responses. Lawmaker Shagufta Parvez said she had personally filed complaints without receiving replies, while Rubina Qaimkhani questioned the roles of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other agencies.

Shahida Begum noted that widespread SIM card issuance and easy access to mobile phones have worsened the problem, urging stronger laws and enforcement.

The PTA chairman told the committee that authorities had blocked links to millions of websites nationwide, noting that Pakistan’s digital abuse indicators are high compared with other South Asian countries. He said that during a ban on social media platform X, Pakistan’s requests to the company went unanswered, though communication resumed after the platform was restored.

The committee vowed to push for tougher legislation and stronger enforcement, warning that unchecked digital violence threatens women’s safety, freedom of expression, and public participation.