NA panel alarmed by rising cybercrimes

Committee on IT calls for strong preventive measures

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology has highlighted the urgent need for increased efforts to prevent cybercrimes, as citizens across the country face mounting threats in the digital realm.

Committee Chairman Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali emphasised the necessity of taking further steps to address this growing menace.

During a recent meeting, Committee member Naz Baloch drew attention toward the escalating cybercrimes in Karachi, urging improved efficiency in tackling the issue.

It was revealed that cybercrime staff, posing as informants, tip off the accused and facilitate their escape before any raids take place. Concerns were also raised about the behaviour of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrimes Wing (CCW).

The FIA officials disclosed that the CCW provided regular training to its personnel and ensured law-enforcement agencies were alerted before carrying out raids. However, one of the challenges it faced was gaining access to social media companies' data, as they often failed to cooperate with investigations, they added.

The Information Technology Ministry informed the committee that work on the Pakistan Internet and Communication Technology Act (PICA) and social media regulations was nearing completion, with a dedicated committee led by the law minister actively working on finalising the legislation.

In a bid to improve the proficiency of the Karachi Cyber Crime Wing, Naz Baloch proposed summoning its members to Islamabad for training in order to enhance their capabilities of identifying and combating cybercrimes more effectively.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the issues of poor mobile phone and internet services in Parliament Lodges. Committee member Shamim Ara expressed concerns, stating that if the service in such a prominent location could not be improved, the what would be the situation elsewhere.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) acknowledged the service problems in various regions, citing difficulties caused by basements or corners of buildings.

A team had been assigned to assess and address the service issues in Parliament Lodges, while steps were being taken to ensure better connectivity, the authority said.

The committee also focused on the service quality in Chitral, with Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali raising concerns about the PTA's inadequate response.

In response, a PTA representative assured the committee that several surveys had been conducted, and plans were under way to install three additional towers in Chitral to improve network coverage.