NCCIA arrests 3 in crackdown on cyber harassment, blackmail in Punjab

The operations were carried out on the directions of Director NCCIA Punjab Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested three men in separate operations in Lahore and Multan as part of a crackdown on cyber harassment, blackmail, threats and the misuse of personal data online, officials said.

The operations were carried out on the directions of Director NCCIA Punjab Muhammad Ali Wasim, officials said.

In Lahore, the NCCIA arrested Azeem Jafri, son of Syed Altaf Hussain Shah and a resident of Faisalabad, in connection with an online harassment and defamation complaint.

Investigators said the suspect had been using online platforms to harass and defame complainant Syed Muzaffar Iqbal Zehrazai. A mobile phone was recovered from the suspect during the operation. The investigation is being conducted by Sub-Inspector Rai Shakeel Ahmed.

In Multan, the agency carried out two separate operations and arrested Jamshed Mahmood Khan and Sajjad Sarwar.

Jamshed Mahmood Khan was arrested from Gulgasht Gol Bagh Park in Multan. Investigators said he was involved in sharing objectionable data belonging to a woman through WhatsApp, issuing threats and blackmailing her. No recovery was made from the suspect.

In a separate operation, NCCIA officials arrested Sajjad Sarwar in Dera Ghazi Khan. Investigators said he was involved in sharing objectionable data of a woman through WhatsApp, threatening her and blackmailing her. A mobile phone containing WhatsApp-related material was recovered from him.

Director NCCIA Punjab Muhammad Ali Wasim said the agency would continue taking action against individuals using cyberspace for harassment, blackmail, threats and violations of privacy.

He directed NCCIA teams to further strengthen investigations and enforcement against cybercrime and ensure effective protection of citizens’ privacy and digital rights.