The federal government has formally expanded the mandate of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), empowering it to probe a wide spectrum of serious online offences through amendments to Schedule I of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 (AMLA). According to an official notification issued by the Finance Division, NCCIA has been designated as the primary investigating and prosecuting authority under the amended framework. This move signifies a significant shift in Pakistan’s cyber governance, positioning NCCIA at the center of combating the country’s growing digital threats.
Under the newly amended law, NCCIA has been given the authority to investigate offences ranging from cyber terrorism (Section 10) and electronic fraud (Section 14) to unauthorized use of identity information (Section 16) and issuance of unregistered SIM cards (Section 17). The expanded mandate also includes sensitive and critical areas such as online child exploitation (Section 22), cyber grooming and enticement of minors (Section 22A), commercial sexual exploitation of children (Section 22B), and the use of digital platforms for kidnapping or trafficking of minors (Section 22C). Additionally, NCCIA has been tasked with addressing the dissemination of false or misleading information (Section 26A), reflecting the state’s growing emphasis on curbing misinformation in the digital space.
The expansion of NCCIA’s jurisdiction has been carried out under Section 42 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, whereby the government directed the insertion of a new “Section XV” into Schedule I of the legislation. This legal restructuring broadens the scope of financial and cybercrime investigations, ensuring that online offences which may overlap with money laundering activities are effectively pursued. The decision comes at a time when Pakistan is under increasing pressure to strengthen its digital enforcement mechanisms, align with international standards, and build resilience against the rising scale of online crime.
NCCIA itself is a relatively new institution in Pakistan’s cyber landscape, having been established on May 3, 2024, as a replacement for the Cybercrime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Its creation marked the government’s recognition of the urgent need for a specialized agency with the technical expertise and dedicated mandate to address digital threats. With the latest amendments, NCCIA now stands empowered to take on a more holistic role, not just in tackling financial crimes but also in safeguarding minors, protecting citizens’ digital identities, and addressing the growing challenge of fake online content. Authorities believe this step will help bridge institutional gaps, improve coordination across agencies, and create a more secure online environment for Pakistani citizens and businesses alike.
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