Cybercrime in Pakistan has risen sharply by 35% in 2025, driven by a wave of WhatsApp hacking, online scams, and digital financial fraud, according to officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Sharp Rise in Attacks and Complaints
Officials said the surge reflects a combination of low digital literacy and high social engineering success rates, as many citizens unknowingly share one-time passwords (OTPs) and personal data with fraudsters. The NCCIA reported that most attacks originate from South Punjab and cross-border networks, making investigation and enforcement increasingly complex.
Pakistan recorded over 73,000 cybercrime complaints last year, according to the Federal Investigation Agency’s 2024 Annual Report, yet only 1,604 cases were formally registered. Nearly half were related to financial fraud, underscoring systemic gaps in prevention and legal recourse.
In Karachi alone, around 29,000 complaints have already been filed this year — up significantly from 2024 — with cases ranging from financial scams and online harassment to identity theft and data breaches.
Rising Vulnerabilities Despite Better Security Ranking
While Pakistan’s cybersecurity ranking improved to 46th globally in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, the country continues to struggle with limited public awareness and unsafe digital practices. Experts note that cybercrime now affects all demographics, not just young or tech-savvy users.
Officials stressed that the disconnect between improved national frameworks and everyday user behavior is a key factor behind the escalating threat. “The lack of cybersecurity literacy remains our weakest link,” said an NCCIA spokesperson, adding that public education and school-level digital safety programs are urgently needed.
National Response and Recovery Efforts
The NCCIA has reportedly recovered millions of rupees in stolen funds this year, but most cases remain unsolved due to foreign-based hacking operations and the use of encrypted platforms. Authorities are working with telecom operators and banks to improve fraud detection and customer protection systems.
Cybersecurity experts have urged lawmakers, civil society, and educational institutions to collaborate on a national digital safety curriculum, emphasizing that without awareness, “even the best systems can be outsmarted by social manipulation.”
