Cybercrime in Pakistan can be defined as unlawful activities, including identity theft, fraud, hacking, and harassment. These activities have been listed as illegal under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Introduction

The rapid increase in complaints, lower persuasion rates, and growing losses have made cybercrime the biggest concern in Pakistan. The citizens need to have the proper knowledge of reporting cybercrimes (when, where, and how) because of the multiplication of digital interactions.

In this article, we will shed some light on the agencies that are involved, steps to report, and recent information that highlights why timely reporting is important.

Key Statistics and Present Landscape

•  Pakistan’s previous FIA Cyber Crime Wing attained more than 639,000 complaints, entailing online harassment, fraud, and scams etc. Out of this, only 414,620 were authenticated, 5,713 cases were registered in court, and 73,825 inquiries began.
• In that time slot, 7,020 accused were arrested; however, just 222 convictions occurred- a conviction percentage of nearly 3.16%.
• From just April to July 2025, NCCIA filed 50,563 complaints, made inquiries for 7,247 of them, launched 457 First Information Reports (FIRs), and arrested 690 people.
• A particular vulnerable group: more than 1.8 million women in Pakistan have fallen prey to cybercrime in the past few years, and the total number of complaints was 2.7 million in the past 5 years, with nearly 80% of those by children and women.

These numbers demonstrate the scale of the issue and also expose that numerous complaints are not authenticated, cases don’t always lead to the generation of FIRs, and some result in convictions.  

Main Agencies Responsible

• National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA): Presently, an independent body tasked with managing, preventing, and investigating cyber offences globally.
• National Response Centre of Cyber Crime (NR3C): Working as the initial helpdesk or contact for the reporting of cybercrimes. Provides circle offices, email, and helpline for complaints.
• PKCERT (Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team): To report incidents, particularly from network security, technical, and organizational perspectives.

4 Steps to Report Cyber Crime

Here are four steps that a person must follow:

Gather Evidence

• URLs, Emails, chat logs, messages, and screenshots.
• All the financial records, if there is money involved.
• Details regarding people, platform, and time.

Call the Proper Agency

• NCCIA, through its helpline: email: helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk and 051-9106691.
• NR3C online compliant form through its website, or submit a written application to your office circle.
• PKERT if the incident incorporates organizational or technical systems.

Offer The Needed Information

• Any supporting evidence gathered earlier.
• Complete description of the incident: when it took place, how, and what damage it caused.
• Your personal details ( contact number, identity information, address, and name).

Follow Up

• Case number and get a complaint
• Need updates through email, helpline, and directly at the circle office.
• Become prepared for possible legal and judicial follow-up (court appearances and FIRs).

Complexities and Why Reporting Matters Rapidly?

• Awareness amongst the public, particularly children and women, is enhancing but requires more expansion.
• Loss of evidence or delays often take place when victims resist or don’t report initially.
• Lesser conviction rate (3.16%) demonstrates that numerous scenarios are filed, but some are ended with legal accountability.

Conclusion

Reporting cybercrimes in Pakistan is supported by agencies like PKCERT, NR3C, and NCCIA, under the legal model PECA 2016. With increasing incidents- more than 50,000 complaints in only 4 months of 2025, tens of thousands of arrests. However, some convictions’ timely reports make a huge difference. If you are a witness or victim of a cybercrime, follow the steps mentioned above. Gather evidence, contact the right agency, offer details, and insist on follow-ups. It is just that widespread and consistent reporting the cybercrime in Pakistan can be restricted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)