The government is considering a major restructuring of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), including a proposal to rename the agency Cyber Police and bring it under a hybrid structure involving the police department.
According to media reports, several proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Interior, including the establishment of dedicated Cyber Police stations across the country. The proposed stations would operate more closely with the existing district police system.
Cyber Police Stations Proposed Across Districts
Under the proposed structure, a Cyber Police station could be established in every district, with Station House Officers (SHOs) placed in charge instead of NCCIA deputy directors.
The proposals reportedly envisage SP- and DSP-rank officers overseeing Cyber Police operations in larger districts, while smaller districts would have stations supervised by DSP-rank officers.
In Lahore, the proposed model would establish a Cyber Police station in each police division. The setup would reportedly be supervised by one SSP and two SPs.
Existing NCCIA Offices Could Become Cyber Police Stations
The proposed restructuring would also make use of the NCCIA’s existing infrastructure.
Under the plan, current NCCIA buildings could be converted into Cyber Police stations, allowing the government to integrate cybercrime investigations more closely with local policing structures.
The proposal also calls for a joint mechanism between the police and Cyber Police to coordinate investigations and other cybercrime-related matters.
Such an arrangement would bring cybercrime investigations closer to district-level law enforcement operations while maintaining specialized expertise for cases involving digital offences.
Interior Ministry to Decide on NCCIA Restructuring
The proposals have reportedly been forwarded to the Ministry of Interior by the NCCIA Director General.
However, the proposed name change and organizational restructuring have not yet been finalized. The Ministry of Interior is expected to review the recommendations before making a final decision.
The NCCIA currently operates under the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control and is responsible for investigating cybercrime cases, including online fraud, harassment and data breaches.
If approved, the proposed changes would represent a significant shift in how cybercrime cases are handled by integrating the specialized agency more closely with Pakistan’s broader police structure.
