Senate Panel Questions NCCIA After Agency Disowns Its Own Data

The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to submit verified data on social media accounts after raising concerns over discrepancies in figures previously presented by the agency.

During a meeting chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, committee members said NCCIA had later distanced itself from statistics presented by its officials during an earlier subcommittee meeting. The panel asked the agency to clarify whether the previously shared figures were authentic and submit updated and verified data.

The committee also took notice of reports that the NCCIA had issued notices to certain newspapers and columnists. Members observed that such actions fall outside the agency’s legal mandate and could amount to harassment of journalists and media organizations.

The NCCIA was directed not to initiate action against newspapers or their websites and to submit a report on whether any cybercrime cases registered by provincial police under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act have been transferred to the agency.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar informed the committee that the government revised its advertising policy in 2024 to introduce a more transparent mechanism for the distribution of government advertisements. He said electronic media continues to receive the largest share of government advertising, followed by print and digital media, while only a limited portion is allocated to social media platforms.

The committee also expressed concern over delayed salary payments and downsizing in the media industry. Members recommended withholding government advertisements from media organizations that fail to pay employees on time, making life insurance mandatory for media workers, ensuring all media organizations are registered with the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution, and formulating a policy to support regional newspapers.

Separately, the committee was informed that Pakistan Television has become financially self sufficient for the first time and holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Pakistan. It also directed Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to submit a plan for utilizing vacant office space and called for the commercial use of unused state media properties to generate additional revenue.