Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warns about online harassment, cyber-blackmail and financial scams, while saying Pakistan’s cybercrime agency needs more staff and a public awareness campaign is planned.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned about the misuse of personal photographs, online harassment and cyber-blackmail, urging the public to exercise caution online as Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) deals with complaints involving women and financial fraud.
Speaking to journalists during an open court at the NCCIA’s zonal headquarters in Lahore on October 23, Naqvi urged women not to share their photographs. He said the agency was receiving a high number of complaints involving the harassment of girls.
The minister also cautioned people against sending money to strangers online, particularly individuals who request financial assistance through unverified claims. He said the government planned to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at girls and the wider population.
Minister highlights online harassment and blackmail
Naqvi said many women had lodged complaints concerning online harassment and cyber-blackmail. He also warned about fake social media accounts used to deceive people and misuse personal information.
The minister’s remarks come amid continued concerns about the circulation of private images, impersonation, online threats and other forms of digital abuse.
However, responsibility for harassment, blackmail or the non-consensual distribution of photographs rests with those carrying out the abuse. Sharing a photograph does not constitute consent to its misuse, and victims should be able to seek assistance without fear of blame.
The NCCIA has previously urged people to report online harassment, fake profiles and the unauthorised circulation of personal images.
NCCIA staffing raised as a concern
Naqvi said the NCCIA had 61 officers across Punjab and that he intended to raise the staffing issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said efforts were under way to address the problems faced by people approaching the agency and that its capacity needed to be strengthened to deal with complaints more effectively.
The minister also referred to arrests linked to illegal call centres, although the report did not provide a detailed breakdown of the cases or the number of arrests associated with each operation.
The staffing figure cited by Naqvi relates to Punjab and should not be interpreted as the total number of NCCIA personnel nationwide.
Public warned about financial scams
The interior minister cautioned people against transferring money in response to unsolicited online requests, including appeals from individuals claiming to be ill or in urgent need of financial help.
He also warned about fake accounts and schemes promising to multiply investments quickly. Naqvi advised the public not to disclose passwords over the phone, highlighting the risk of account compromise and financial loss.
People should verify requests through an independent channel before sending money, avoid sharing passwords or one-time verification codes, and use official channels to report suspicious activity.
What people can do if they face cyber harassment
People who experience online blackmail, impersonation or the unauthorised sharing of private images should preserve relevant evidence, including screenshots, account names, links and messages, where it is safe to do so.
They can report suspected cybercrime to the NCCIA through its official complaint channels. The agency has previously directed affected individuals to submit complaints with relevant evidence.
Victims should avoid paying blackmailers or engaging with threats without seeking appropriate support. They should also review account privacy settings, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication where available.
Awareness and enforcement both matter
Naqvi said an awareness campaign was being planned for girls and the general public. He also said the government was working to improve the agency’s staffing so that complaints could be addressed more effectively.
Public awareness can help people recognise common scams and understand how to protect their accounts. Effective responses also depend on accessible reporting systems, timely investigations and accountability for those responsible for online abuse.
The minister’s comments did not provide a comprehensive breakdown of current cybercrime cases, complaint-resolution rates or the outcomes of prosecutions. Further official data would be needed to assess the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of the planned measures.
