LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has sought details about the formation of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The chief justice also asked about the number of directors and heads who have served at the agency so far.
She made the remarks while hearing a contempt of court petition on Thursday. Citizen Muhammad Ismail filed the petition.
The petitioner alleged that authorities had failed to comply with a 2024 court order.
The order had directed the authorities to decide his application within 30 days.
Following a court notice, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar appeared before the Lahore High Court.
He explained that the application was filed in 2024. He said the NCCIA was established later as a separate agency.
According to the FIA official, the matter now falls under the jurisdiction of the NCCIA.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum asked when the NCCIA formally came into existence.
She also sought information about the agency’s leadership since its establishment.
The court observed that several similar applications could still be pending.
The chief justice noted that some citizens may have been unable to approach the courts over their complaints.
Dr Usman Anwar informed the court that the agency had computerised its data.
He said the digital system would help the agency address pending applications.
The FIA director general also explained that the NCCIA was initially established without its own building.
He further told the court that the petitioner’s complaint would be decided when he appeared before the agency.
During the proceedings, the chief justice stressed that the complainant should not be pressured to withdraw the petition.
She remarked that the complainant should not be “managed” into withdrawing the case from court.
Dr Anwar assured the court that no such action would be taken.
He also assured the bench that court orders would be implemented.
The hearing focused on the handling of pending complaints and the functioning of the NCCIA.
The court’s questions also covered the agency’s establishment and leadership structure.
The NCCIA was created to handle cybercrime-related investigations separately from the FIA.
The proceedings highlight the importance of resolving pending complaints within the required legal framework.
The agency has also started computerising its records, according to the FIA director general.
The latest hearing sought greater clarity about the NCCIA’s formation and administrative history.
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Further proceedings will determine how the petitioner’s complaint is addressed by the relevant agency.
