December 23, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
A meeting of the Special Parliamentary Gender Mainstreaming Committee, chaired by Nafisa Shah, on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in digital violence against women in Pakistan. The meeting was held with lawmakers, rights bodies and government officials and warned that weak enforcement and complex reporting mechanisms are leaving victims without protection.
The special committee expressed grave concern over the failure of the NCCIA to respond effectively to the rapidly increasing incidents of violence against women in digital spaces.
According to information provided by the NCCIA itself, the overburdening of the agency was a major reason why the issue had been neglected, highlighting that a single investigation officer of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) was currently handling an average of 70 cases, while several regions across the country still lack NCCIA regional offices. Even the agency’s Islamabad G-13 office operates from rented premises. Officials further revealed that complaints previously handled by the FIA cybercrime wing were also being transferred to NCCIA, adding to the burden.
Providing past data, NCCIA officials said that in 2022, around 779 applications were received, but only 17 cases were disposed of. They added that 2025 has shown a mixed trend in complaint volumes. Currently, the agency operates 15 reporting centres nationwide, with plans to expand them to 64. Across Pakistan, only 33 female officers are available to deal specifically with gender-based digital crimes.
Increase in digital violence
During the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Human Rights briefed the committee on the rapidly evolving digital landscape and its disproportionate impact on women. They told lawmakers that women across Pakistan are increasingly facing deepfake videos, online harassment, organised hate campaigns, cyberstalking and blackmail through the non-consensual sharing of private images.
According to the Human Rights Cell, online abuse has become a powerful tool to silence women, particularly journalists, human rights defenders and social activists. Officials said leaked or digitally altered images are frequently used for blackmail, character assassination and so-called honour-based intimidation, while rape threats and targeted smear campaigns have emerged as some of the most dangerous forms of digital gender-based violence.
Impact
The committee was informed that in 2024 alone, around 8 million women in Pakistan were using mobile internet, significantly increasing their exposure to online risks. Despite this surge, officials acknowledged that the reporting and redressal mechanisms for digital gender-based violence remain complicated, slow and largely inaccessible for victims.
Several committee members shared their personal experiences, highlighting the lack of institutional response. Member Shazia Parvez told the meeting that she had personally filed complaints but received no response from cybercrime authorities. Senator Rubina Qaim Khani echoed similar concerns, questioning the effectiveness of regulatory bodies such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and other enforcement agencies.
Committee member Shahida Begum linked the crisis to the unchecked expansion of mobile connectivity and the mass issuance of SIM cards, saying the rapid spread of digital access without safeguards had worsened the situation. She stressed the need for a strong and effective law to counter digital crimes against women.
The Secretary of Human Rights acknowledged that many of the challenges were related to enforcement rather than legislation.
Meanwhile, National Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Umme Laila told the committee that her office was receiving a large number of complaints from women and girls, which were being handled with strict confidentiality.
NCCIA briefing
The NCCIA also gave more details in the meeting revealing that the agency had received 22,515 complaints related to crimes against women so far this year. Officials admitted that severe staff shortages and excessive workload were crippling their ability to respond effectively.
The Chairperson, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the Committee that during the current year, more than 1.5 million URLs had been blocked, including 6,042 related to defamation and impersonation and 13,780 pertaining to immoral content across various online platforms. He also disclosed that 5,000 unauthorized SIMs had been identified and blocked. The Committee underscored the need for enhanced coordination with international digital platforms and the development of stronger policies to ensure platform accountability.
Speaking to Voicepk after the meeting, committee chairperson Nafisa Shah said the issue had been taken up comprehensively.
“We discussed this issue in a comprehensive manner, where all stakeholders sat together and put forward several recommendations,” she said.
NCSW Chairperson Umme Laila said gaps in existing cyber laws were clearly evident.
“We are closely examining cases of digital harassment against women, and we have realised that women’s protection is not clearly reflected in the PECA Act,” she said.
Digital rights activist Usama Khilji welcomed the parliamentary discussion but stressed the need for legislative leadership.
“It is a positive development that this issue is being discussed in parliament, but it is parliament that must play its role in addressing it,” he said.
Senior journalist and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) co-chairperson Munizae Jahangir raised concerns over a recent Supreme Court ruling while addressing the committee.
“Converting rape into zina-bil-jabr sends a dangerous message for women. When a woman takes the very difficult decision to report rape, such interpretations further discourage survivors from coming forward,” she said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants unanimously stressed the urgent need for effective enforcement, institutional strengthening and survivor-centred mechanisms to combat digital violence against women. Lawmakers agreed that without immediate reforms, Pakistan’s growing digital space would continue to expose women to abuse with little accountability for perpetrators.