Cybercrime conviction rate in Pakistan stands below 5 per cent over five years
Pakistan's Cybercrime Conviction Challenges
Low Conviction Rates
In the past five years, Pakistan has struggled with a cybercrime conviction rate of less than 5%. Out of 7,020 arrests since 2020, only 222 resulted in convictions, marking a 3.16% conviction rate. This low rate is attributed to capacity constraints, public misunderstanding of cybercrime laws, and inconsistencies in investigation agencies.
Cybercrime Complaints and Reporting
Since 2020, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) received 639,564 complaints, with 414,260 verified. This led to 73,825 inquiries and 5,713 court cases. Despite an increase in complaints, the numbers are still lower than the actual offences. In 2024, 160,000 complaints were registered, a decline from previous years.
Government Measures and Challenges
In December 2023, the government empowered police to register cybercrime cases through an amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. This aimed to address rising digital crimes. Dedicated officers, including women, were stationed in Islamabad and Punjab to handle complaints. However, frequent changes in investigation authorities, such as the disbanding of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in December 2024, have confused the public and reduced complaint reporting.
Need for Effective Solutions
Experts emphasize the need for a streamlined approach to cybercrime investigation and prosecution, ensuring laws and enforcement keep pace with technological advancements.
Doubts Revealed
Cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to illegal activities done using computers or the internet. This can include hacking, stealing personal information, or spreading viruses.
Conviction Rate
Conviction rate is the percentage of cases where the accused person is found guilty in court. A low conviction rate means that very few people are being punished for their crimes.
Federal Investigation Agency
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is a government agency in Pakistan that investigates crimes like cybercrime, terrorism, and corruption. They are similar to India's CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).
Amendment
An amendment is a change or addition made to a law. In this context, it means the law was changed to allow police to register cybercrime cases.
Prosecution
Prosecution is the process of taking legal action against someone accused of a crime. It involves lawyers presenting evidence in court to prove the person is guilty.
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