The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Karachi is facing a major operational crisis due to a critical shortage of officers and technical staff. This shortfall is severely affecting the agency’s ability to address the escalating number of cybercrime complaints in Pakistan’s largest city.
Over the past five months, the Karachi Zone received more than 1,100 cybercrime-related inquiries. However, only 60 were formally registered as FIRs, resulting in just 20 arrests. The backlog is growing, with only 196 inquiries finalized due to limited manpower and stretched resources.
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Currently, only 43 officials are serving at the Karachi Reporting Center, far below the sanctioned strength of 147. Vital posts such as assistant directors, legal advisers, cybercrime analysts, and network experts remain vacant. The investigative wing is also thinly staffed, with inspectors, sub-inspectors, and assistant sub-inspectors in short supply.
Internal sources point to ongoing judicial proceedings concerning appointments and transfers as a key factor stalling recruitment and expansion efforts. This administrative deadlock is worsening delays and directly impacting the agency’s performance.
As a result, victims of cybercrime are left waiting, with little hope of timely resolution. The situation is breeding frustration and eroding trust in digital justice mechanisms.
