The Sindh government is preparing to establish a new cybercrime unit to improve investigations, enhance digital safety, and strengthen provincial capacity against rising online threats, marking a major step in its cybercrime unit plan.
According to Dawn news report, the proposed provincial cybercrime unit will focus on preventing and investigating online threats, ensuring safer digital environments for citizens, and upgrading Sindh’s cybersecurity structure overall.
The report claimed that the unit would closely coordinate with law enforcement agencies, intelligence bodies, and international partners to track online criminals and bring them to justice through improved digital monitoring systems and faster investigative procedures.
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Currently, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) remains the only federal body authorised to investigate cybercrimes such as harassment, online threats, bank frauds, blackmailing, and data theft involving various digital platforms and technology services.
The NCCIA replaced the former Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency to function as an independent agency responsible for handling electronic offences and securing digital evidence from major online service providers.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar told Dawn that the provincial government would soon approach the federal authorities to obtain powers allowing Sindh to establish its own operational cybercrime unit.
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He said the federal government would also be requested to notify Sindh police as an authorised body to address offences listed under Sections 3 to 23 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The home minister added that the provincial assembly would legislate once federal approval is granted, enabling Sindh to create a cybercrime unit similar to NCCIA with proper legal authority for independent operations.
He said the new unit would help reduce the existing workload, as the FIA’s remaining cybercrime wing in Sindh faces critical shortages of officers and long delays due to thousands of pending complaints.
Officials said the planned unit will prioritise major offences such as online harassment, identity theft, financial fraud, hacking, extortion, and other digital violations that continue to rise across the province at an alarming rate.
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Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon said police had already written to the home department, requesting that Sindh police be formally declared an authorised agency to investigate cybercrime offences.
He said online criminals frequently exploit digital anonymity, making detection difficult and limiting the deterrent effect of the law, which contributes to the rapid increase of cyber-related offences in society.
The IGP added that NCCIA, despite being the only authorised organisation, faces similar challenges of limited resources and a heavy backlog, which affects its ability to deliver effective and timely results.
