NCCIA prioritises cases of blackmail, harassment of women; arrests 10 in Punjab

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has intensified its focus on complaints involving the online harassment, blackmail, and exploitation of women, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects in separate operations across Punjab on Saturday.

Speaking to the media, NCCIA Punjab chief Muhammad Ali Waseem said the agency is giving top priority to cases related to the harassment, intimidation, and blackmail of women in digital spaces.

While the agency remains committed to tackling all forms of cybercrime, complaints involving threats to women’s dignity, reputation, and safety online are receiving urgent attention.

Waseem emphasized that such offences can cause significant psychological, social, and reputational damage to victims. As a result, the NCCIA is taking swift action to ensure timely relief for complainants and to hold offenders accountable. However, he acknowledged that many cybercrime complaints are still awaiting resolution.

The arrests were made during separate operations in Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad. The suspects are accused of online harassment, blackmail, and using inappropriate content to pressure female victims. Authorities seized mobile phones, digital devices, and other evidence for forensic analysis.

According to the NCCIA, two suspects were arrested in Lahore in separate cases involving the alleged online harassment of women. In Multan, three individuals were taken into custody, while two more were arrested in separate incidents linked to the online harassment of women.

In Faisalabad, one suspect was arrested for allegedly blackmailing his former wife by sending her videos and photographs to family members. Another individual was detained in connection with the online harassment of a woman.

The agency also arrested a suspect accused of using artificial intelligence to create manipulated and inappropriate images of a young woman. He allegedly demanded Rs2 million from the victim while threatening to share the images on social media.

Officials said the digital evidence collected so far suggests the arrested individuals were involved in online harassment and blackmail targeting women. Further investigations are ongoing, and additional legal measures may be taken after forensic reports are completed.

Last week, the NCCIA arrested five more suspects in Punjab on similar charges involving the online harassment of women.

Separately, an NCCIA official said the agency’s prompt response to actor Momina Iqbal’s complaint against ruling party MPA Saqib Chadhar demonstrates its strict stance against cyber harassment and the victimisation of women online. Chadhar, who is currently out on bail, was booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.