Senate Panel Seeks Verified Social Media Data, Warns NCCIA Against Overstepping Its Mandate

A Senate committee has asked the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to submit verified data on social media accounts after lawmakers questioned the reliability of figures previously presented by the agency and raised concerns over its reported actions involving journalists and media organisations.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, said NCCIA officials had shared statistics during an earlier subcommittee meeting but the agency later distanced itself from those figures.

Committee members directed the NCCIA to clarify whether the information presented earlier was authentic and to provide an updated, verified record for parliamentary review.

The development places fresh scrutiny on the agency’s internal data-verification procedures and its accountability before parliamentary forums at a time when cybercrime enforcement is attracting growing public attention.

The committee also examined reports that the NCCIA had issued notices to newspapers and columnists. Members observed that action against print publications and their websites may fall outside the agency’s legal mandate and could create pressure on journalists and media organisations.

The agency was directed not to initiate proceedings against newspapers or their websites and to remain within the powers assigned to it under the law.

Lawmakers also sought a report on cybercrime cases registered by provincial police under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, asking whether those cases had subsequently been transferred to the NCCIA.

The discussion reflected broader concerns about jurisdiction following the creation of a specialised federal cybercrime agency and the division of responsibility between provincial police, federal investigators and other regulatory institutions.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar separately briefed the committee on the government’s advertising policy, saying it had been revised in 2024 to introduce a more transparent system for distributing official advertisements.

According to the minister, electronic media continues to receive the largest share of government advertising, followed by print and digital media. Social media platforms receive a comparatively limited allocation.

The committee also turned its attention to working conditions in the media industry, particularly delayed salaries and downsizing.

Members recommended that government advertisements be withheld from media organisations that fail to pay employees on time. They also called for mandatory life insurance for media workers and registration of all media organisations with the Employees’ Old Age Benefits Institution.

The panel further urged the government to develop a support policy for regional newspapers, which often face greater financial pressure than larger national publications.

In a separate briefing, the committee was informed that Pakistan Television had achieved financial self-sufficiency for the first time.

Officials also said the state broadcaster held exclusive rights in Pakistan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The committee directed Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to submit a plan for the use of vacant office space and called for the commercial utilisation of unused state-media properties to generate additional revenue.

The meeting brought together two related themes: the need for stronger accountability in cybercrime enforcement and the financial protection of journalists and media institutions.

Lawmakers indicated that agencies dealing with online offences must rely on verified evidence and operate within clearly defined legal boundaries, particularly when their actions involve news organisations and freedom of expression.

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