NCCIA Arrests Man Under PECA Act for Harassing and Blackmailing a Woman on WhatsApp

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested a man for harassing and blackmailing a woman through WhatsApp. The arrest highlights growing efforts by authorities to address digital abuse and protect victims from online exploitation.

According to officials, the case came to light after a woman approached the NCCIA Islamabad with a formal complaint. She alleged that a man had been harassing her and demanding money by threatening to make her private images public. Following the complaint, the NCCIA registered FIR No. 347/2025 and launched a detailed investigation into the matter.

NCCIA Arrests Man for Harassing and Blackmailing a Woman on WhatsApp

The accused, identified as Rizwanullah, reportedly obtained objectionable images of the woman and displayed them publicly on his WhatsApp account. Investigators revealed that he had also gained unauthorized access to the victim’s social media accounts and stolen her personal data. Using this information, he allegedly made repeated phone calls to threaten and pressure the woman into paying money, warning her that the images would be widely shared if she refused.

During the investigation, the NCCIA conducted a technical forensic analysis of the suspect’s mobile phone. Officials confirmed that strong and undeniable evidence was recovered, directly linking Rizwanullah to the crime. Based on this evidence, legal proceedings were initiated against him under Sections 21 and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

The arrest was carried out by a specialized raiding team led by Sub-Inspector Misbah Batool. Authorities stated that further investigation is ongoing to determine whether the accused was involved in additional cybercrimes or had other accomplices. The NCCIA reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against individuals who misuse digital platforms to harass or exploit others.

In a separate but related development, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan has also approached the NCCIA over an alleged organized online smear campaign against her. The senator filed a formal complaint under PECA. She claimed that false, defamatory, and abusive content was circulated on social media to damage her reputation.

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According to the complaint, fabricated videos were created and shared, while a coordinated hate campaign used threatening and gender-based language. Senator Palwasha Khan further alleged that fake accounts and bot networks were used to amplify the content and trend-specific hashtags. She stated that the attacks intensified during the performance of her official duties.

Calling the campaign a deliberate act of character assassination, the senator has urged the NCCIA to identify those responsible and take action under the law. The cybercrime authority is expected to review the complaint and proceed in line with relevant regulations.

These incidents reflect the growing challenges posed by cyber harassment and online abuse in Pakistan. At the same time, they underline the importance of legal frameworks like PECA and the role of institutions such as the NCCIA in ensuring accountability. Authorities continue to urge citizens to report cybercrimes promptly so that timely and effective action can be taken.