Senate Raises Alarm Over Rs. 3 Billion Cyber Fraud in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on IT has raised alarm over Rs. 3 billion annual cyber fraud linked to online scams, fake calls, and loan apps. The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reported that over 60% of complaints involve electronic crimes, with fraud losses underreported. Lawmakers also questioned PTA’s telecom regulation, Jazz tariff approvals, and tribunal delays, calling for stricter oversight of Pakistan’s digital sector.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, has expressed serious concern over the rising wave of cybercrime in Pakistan. Officials from the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) revealed that online frauds, loan app scams, and weaknesses in telecom regulation have resulted in losses exceeding Rs. 3 billion annually.

According to NCCIA, over 60% of all complaints received are related to electronic crimes, with the actual financial damage likely far higher due to widespread underreporting.

Cybercrime on the Rise

Lawmakers were informed that:

• Citizens are being deceived through fake courier calls, phishing scams, and fraudulent mobile codes.

• WhatsApp accounts are being hacked for up to 12 hours, during which fraudsters impersonate victims to extort money from family and friends.

• In just one year, 63 illegal call centers were raided, resulting in 450 arrests and the identification of Rs. 720 million in fraud cases.

Telecom Transparency Concerns

The session also highlighted transparency issues within Pakistan’s telecom sector. Lawmakers criticized the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after audit officials claimed that Jazz’s tariff approvals worth over Rs. 6 billion were processed without full record-sharing.

Former IT Minister Senator Anusha Rahman accused the PTA of damaging the private sector’s reputation by failing to ensure regulatory oversight.

Pending Legal and Regulatory Issues

Concerns were also raised over:

• Delays in telecom tribunal appointments.

• Spectrum-related cases pending in multiple courts.

• Forum shopping practices by telecom companies.

The committee directed the PTA, SECP, and Ministry of IT to provide complete records at the next meeting, while summoning the Law Ministry to explain delays in tribunal appointments.