Conviction rate of cybercrime cases since 2020 at 3.16%
In a written reply to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior disclosed that out of 7,020 individuals arrested on cybercrime charges since 2020, only 222 have been convicted, resulting in a strikingly low conviction rate of 3.16%.
As per officials, several contributing factors to the low conviction rate include insufficient capacity, public unfamiliarity with cybercrime legislation, and investigative bodies. Despite an increase in cybercrime complaints yearly since 2020, the reports filed are substantially lower than the actual number of incidents.
Data provided by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing shows that out of 639,564 complaints received, 414,260 were verified, leading to 73,825 inquiries and 5,713 court cases. Notably, the total complaints in 2024 have declined, with projections estimating about 160,000 complaints for the full year —far less than expected given Pakistan’s internet user base, which includes 139 million mobile broadband and 143 million internet subscribers as per the latest figures from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
In December 2023, the government amended the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), empowering police to register cybercrime cases and strengthening the fight against cyber offenses. Specialized personnel, including women officers, have been deployed in Islamabad and Punjab to address these complaints more effectively.
Initially, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing was in charge, but in May 2024, it was replaced by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). However, this agency was quickly disbanded in December 2024, and its responsibilities were transferred back to the FIA.