The Pakistan Cybercrime Report for 2025 reveals a record-breaking surge in cybercrime complaints, reflecting the country’s growing digital adoption and the challenges that come with it. According to official data presented in Parliament by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistanis filed 142,272 cybercrime complaints this year alone. This dramatic rise highlights the increasing vulnerability of citizens and institutions to online threats and the urgent need for stronger cyber governance.
A Sharp Increase in Cybercrime Complaints
The most striking highlight of the Pakistan Cybercrime Report is the unprecedented number of complaints submitted to authorities. The 142,272 grievances filed in 2025 show how quickly cyber offences are rising, ranging from online fraud, harassment, and extortion to data theft and financial scams. This number is significantly higher than previous years, signaling both increased digital activity and growing awareness among victims.
Out of these complaints, authorities opened 26,036 regular inquiries, showing that only a fraction of cases can be formally pursued due to limited investigative capacity.
FIRs and Case Registrations
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCIA) registered 1,955 cases during 2025. This represents only a small percentage of overall complaints, which underscores a major point raised in the Pakistan Cybercrime Report—the gap between complaints filed and cases formally investigated.
Cybercrime cases often require advanced digital forensics, technical expertise, and timely evidence collection. As a result, a significant number of complaints do not convert into full investigations or FIRs. Experts believe this gap must be narrowed for Pakistan to effectively manage cyber threats in the future.
Low Conviction Rates Highlight Systemic Challenges
One of the most concerning observations in the Pakistan Cybercrime Report is the low conviction rate. Courts convicted only 31 accused individuals in 2025, while 122 were acquitted. This pattern mirrors global challenges in prosecuting cybercrimes, where the digital nature of offences makes it difficult to trace evidence, verify identities, and meet legal standards of proof.
Complicated legal procedures, limited capacity in cybercrime units, and insufficient cooperation from digital platforms further reduce the likelihood of successful prosecutions.
Five-Year Breakdown Shows Growing Backlog
The Interior Minister also presented a five-year summary, which paints an even clearer picture of the rising digital crime burden:
- 98,206 inquiries were registered
- 53,717 inquiries were disposed of
- 51,696 inquiries are still pending
During the same five-year period, law enforcement agencies registered:
- 7,690 FIRs
- 3,505 FIRs disposed of
- 4,185 FIRs still pending
These numbers indicate a backlog that continues to grow each year. The Pakistan Cybercrime Report clearly shows that while complaints are rising fast, the system’s capacity to process them is not growing at the same pace.
Why Cybercrime Is Rising in Pakistan
Several factors explain the surge in digital offences:
Rapid Digitalization
Pakistan’s digital economy is expanding, with millions using smartphones, online banking, e-commerce, and social media. Increased connectivity often results in increased cyber threats.
Lack of Cyber Awareness
Despite growing internet usage, digital literacy remains low. Many users still fall prey to phishing, fake links, and social engineering schemes.
Weak Cyber Security Practices
From small businesses to public institutions, many organizations lack proper security measures, making them easy targets.
Increased Online Financial Transactions
Mobile wallets, online banking, and digital marketplaces provide convenience but also open new pathways for fraud.
Limited Institutional Capacity
As highlighted in the Pakistan Cybercrime Report, rising complaints have outpaced the capacity of agencies responsible for handling them.
Impact on Society and Economy
The rise in cybercrime affects every segment of society. Individuals face harassment, financial losses, and identity theft, while businesses struggle with data breaches, ransomware attacks, and online fraud. For a developing economy like Pakistan, the financial and reputational costs of cyber insecurity can slow digital transformation and reduce trust in online systems.
What Pakistan Must Do Next
The Pakistan Cybercrime Report suggests that the government must adopt a multi-layered approach to control cybercrime effectively:
- Expand digital forensic capabilities across all major cities
- Increase staffing in cybercrime units
- Invest in training programs for law enforcement
- Run nationwide awareness campaigns on safe internet practices
- Strengthen cyber laws to address new forms of digital offences
- Collaborate with tech companies for faster data access during investigations
The 2025 Pakistan Cybercrime Report paints a clear picture: digital crime is rising fast, enforcement capacity is stretched thin, and conviction rates remain low. As Pakistan continues its digital transformation, strengthening cybersecurity is no longer optional—it is essential for national security, economic growth, and public safety. Effective reforms, increased awareness, and stronger institutional frameworks will determine how well the country adapts to the challenges of the digital age.
