Senate Alarmed Over Rs. 3 Billion Cyber Fraud in Pakistan

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, held a session where officials from the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) revealed alarming details about the scale of online frauds, loan app scams, and weaknesses in telecom regulation. According to NCCIA officials, more than 60% of all complaints received are linked to electronic crimes, with financial fraud in Pakistan estimated at over Rs. 3 billion annually. Officials admitted that the true figure is likely far higher, as many cases go unreported. Briefing lawmakers, officials said citizens are often lured into traps through fake courier calls, mobile codes, and phishing scams. WhatsApp accounts are hacked for up to 12 hours, and fraudsters impersonate victims to extort money from family and friends. In just one year, 63 illegal call centers were raided and 450 suspects arrested, with Rs. 720 million identified in fraud cases. The committee also discussed telecom transparency. Lawmakers expressed anger over Jazz’s tariff approvals worth more than Rs. 6 billion, where audit officials claimed relevant records had not been shared. Senator Anusha Rahman accused the PTA of damaging the private sector’s reputation by failing to provide oversight. Lawmakers also raised concern over delays in telecom tribunal appointments, pending spectrum-related cases in multiple courts, and “forum shopping” by telecom companies. The committee directed the PTA, SECP, and Ministry of IT to present full records at the next meeting, while summoning the Law Ministry to explain the tribunal delay.