Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the establishment of a dedicated provincial Cybercrime Wing aimed at addressing the growing number of digital crimes in the province. The decision was made during a high-level meeting in Lahore, where the chief minister emphasized the importance of curbing the misuse of online platforms and ensuring a more secure digital environment for citizens. The new initiative reflects Punjab’s increasing focus on modernizing its law enforcement framework to effectively respond to cyber threats and the challenges posed by the expanding digital landscape.
According to government officials, the new Cybercrime Wing will operate as a specialized body tasked with investigating and preventing cyber offences, including online harassment, hacking, identity theft, and financial fraud. With the rapid rise in internet penetration and social media use across the province, the frequency and complexity of cyber incidents have increased significantly. Officials highlighted that Punjab, being the most populous province in the country, faces a disproportionate volume of cyber complaints compared to other regions, creating an urgent need for a dedicated and locally managed setup. The new unit will focus on improving response times, enhancing victim support mechanisms, and building stronger cooperation with digital platforms to address emerging threats more efficiently.
The Punjab government has also been confronting a growing trend of online defamation and social media-based harassment, particularly targeting public figures and government representatives. Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has filed several complaints under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to address such cases. She recently announced her intention to move the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against television anchor Mubasher Lucman for alleged defamation related to his political commentary. These incidents underscore the increasing need for more effective local mechanisms that can promptly investigate such offences while ensuring accountability and fairness.
Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the NCCIA continues to experience a mounting backlog of cybercrime complaints, particularly in Punjab, involving cases of hacking, online harassment, and digital financial fraud. Many of these complaints relate to instances where individuals upload objectionable content to blackmail or intimidate victims. Authorities stated that existing constraints, including limited staffing, outdated investigative tools, and insufficient cooperation from major technology companies, have hindered timely action. To address these challenges, the new Cybercrime Wing will incorporate specialized training programs for officers and adopt advanced digital forensics tools. The government also aims to develop the new setup following international best practices, similar to the operational model of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to enhance investigative capacity and efficiency.
By introducing a dedicated Cybercrime Wing, Punjab’s leadership seeks to ensure that digital safety becomes a core component of law enforcement efforts. The initiative signifies a strategic step toward building a resilient cyber governance framework capable of protecting citizens, businesses, and institutions from online threats while fostering greater trust in the province’s digital transformation journey.
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