As cybercrime and online harassment cases continue to rise across the country, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has issued a stark warning urging women not to share their photographs under any circumstances. According to Geo News, the minister made these remarks while speaking to journalists during an open court at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore.

During his visit, Geo News reported that the interior minister highlighted the growing volume of complaints reaching the agency. He stated that the NCCIA was receiving the highest number of cases involving the harassment of girls, alongside numerous reports of cyber-blackmailing.

In addition to harassment concerns, the minister cautioned the public against transferring money to individuals requesting funds online, including those posing as sick people to solicit financial assistance. According to Geo News, Naqvi warned citizens to avoid falling prey to fraudsters promising unreal financial returns, such as turning two thousand into four thousand, and stressed the importance of keeping account passwords secure.

Background

According to Geo News, the interior minister addressed administrative challenges within the cybercrime agency during his visit to Lahore. He noted that the NCCIA currently has a total of 61 officers across Punjab and stated that he plans to raise this staffing issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure adequate resources for citizens approaching the agency. Furthermore, the report mentioned that hundreds of individuals have been taken into custody from illegal call centers, while plans for a public awareness campaign targeting girls and the general public are currently underway.

Why it matters

For ordinary readers in Pakistan, these warnings highlight the growing everyday risks associated with digital platforms, ranging from online financial fraud to targeted harassment. The reported surge in cases underscores the challenges citizens face in navigating digital spaces securely, while the official acknowledgment of staffing constraints points to the institutional hurdles involved in addressing these digital offenses.