The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is set to undergo a significant administrative restructuring under a proposal that would see the organization renamed as “Cyber Police” and operated jointly with provincial police departments through a hybrid model. According to media reports, the proposed restructuring has been submitted by the Director General of NCCIA to Ministry of Interior, which will review the recommendations and make the final decision on whether the new structure will be implemented. If approved, the proposal would introduce a new framework for cybercrime policing and investigations across Pakistan by integrating cyber policing functions more closely with the existing district police system.
According to the proposed plan, a cyber police station would be established in every district, creating a dedicated operational presence for handling cybercrime investigations at the local level. Each cyber police station would be headed by a Station House Officer (SHO), replacing the existing deputy director position currently used within NCCIA’s operational structure. The proposal also outlines different command structures based on the size of each district. Larger districts would have officers serving at the SP and DSP ranks to supervise operations and oversee investigations, while smaller districts would place the responsibility under a DSP rank officer. The objective of the proposed model is to align cybercrime policing with the administrative structure already used by provincial police departments, allowing investigations to be managed through a more coordinated framework while maintaining dedicated resources for digital crime investigations. Existing NCCIA facilities would also be converted into cyber police stations, enabling the proposed system to utilize current infrastructure without requiring entirely new operational facilities.
The restructuring proposals also contain a separate operational plan for Lahore, reflecting the city’s larger population and administrative requirements. Under the proposal, a cyber police station would be established in every police division across Lahore instead of following a single district level structure. The city’s cyber policing system would be supervised by one Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) supported by two Superintendents of Police (SPs), creating an expanded command hierarchy for managing cybercrime investigations and operational activities. This structure is intended to provide additional administrative oversight while supporting the increasing volume and complexity of digital investigations within one of Pakistan’s largest metropolitan areas. The proposed arrangements indicate an effort to distribute cyber policing resources more effectively by aligning operational responsibilities with existing police divisions and ensuring that cybercrime investigations can be managed closer to the communities where complaints are reported.
The proposal further recommends establishing a joint operational system between the regular police and the proposed Cyber Police to improve coordination during cybercrime investigations. Under this model, cybercrime investigations would be linked directly with the district police system, enabling greater collaboration between specialized cyber investigators and conventional law enforcement personnel. Integrating cyber policing into district policing structures could support information sharing, improve operational coordination, and streamline investigative procedures involving digital evidence and online criminal activities. At present, the proposal remains under review, and Ministry of Interior will make the final decision regarding its adoption. Until an official decision is announced, the recommendations remain proposals intended to reshape the organizational and operational framework of NCCIA while strengthening coordination between specialized cybercrime units and provincial police departments across Pakistan.
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