Legal Help · Published March 18, 2026
How to File a Cybercrime Complaint in Pakistan
Six steps, in order, from preserving evidence before it disappears to actually getting your complaint filed with the right agency and tracked properly.
Quick answer
Preserve your evidence immediately, identify which PECA offence applies, and file with the NCCIA — online through its complaint portal or in person at a zonal office — since the 2025 amendment gave it exclusive investigative authority. Get a complaint reference number before you leave, and follow up periodically.
The process, step by step
- 1
1. Preserve your evidence first
Take screenshots with visible URLs and timestamps, save messages, and note account names or numbers involved — before content can be deleted or an account taken down, since this evidence is central to the complaint.
- 2
2. Identify which PECA offence applies
Hacking or unauthorized access, defamation (Section 20), non-consensual images (Section 21), cyberstalking (Section 24), or another offence — knowing this helps you describe the complaint accurately from the start.
- 3
3. File with the NCCIA
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) holds exclusive investigative authority over PECA offences since the 2025 amendment. Complaints can generally be filed online through the NCCIA's complaint portal, or in person at an NCCIA zonal office.
- 4
4. Provide a clear, factual account
Describe what happened in chronological order, attach your preserved evidence, and avoid speculation about who's responsible unless you have direct evidence — let the investigation establish that.
- 5
5. Get a complaint or case reference number
Confirm you've received a reference number for your complaint before you leave or log off — this is what you'll use to follow up on progress.
- 6
6. Follow up and consider parallel remedies
Track your complaint's progress, and where relevant, consider a parallel request for content removal or a civil claim for damages alongside the criminal complaint.
The mistake that costs people the most
Waiting to "see if it goes away" before reporting is the single most common way a cybercrime complaint gets weaker over time — content gets deleted, accounts get closed, and the digital trail that would have supported an investigation disappears with it. Report and preserve evidence first; decide on next steps after.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Helping you organize your evidence into a clear account and identify which PECA offence likely applies, in plain English or Urdu.
What it cannot do
It cannot submit the complaint to the NCCIA on your behalf or guarantee an outcome — you or a lawyer should file it directly.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a cybercrime complaint in Pakistan?
With the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which has exclusive investigative authority over cybercrime under PECA since the 2025 amendment. Complaints can generally be filed through the NCCIA's online complaint portal or in person at a zonal office.
What evidence do I need to file a cybercrime complaint?
Screenshots with visible URLs and timestamps, saved messages, account details of those involved, and a clear chronological account of what happened. Preserve this evidence as early as possible, since content can be deleted or accounts taken offline.
How long does a cybercrime investigation take in Pakistan?
There's no fixed timeline — it depends on the complexity of the case, the evidence available, and the NCCIA's caseload. Following up periodically with your complaint reference number is worthwhile rather than assuming no news means no progress.
Can I file a cybercrime complaint anonymously in Pakistan?
Generally, a formal complaint requires your identification for the investigation to proceed properly, though some reporting channels may allow an initial anonymous tip. For a case you want investigated and prosecuted, expect to provide your identity as the complainant.
Can Wakeel.org help me file a cybercrime complaint?
Wakeel.org can help you organize your evidence into a clear account and identify which PECA offence likely applies, in plain English or Urdu. It cannot submit the complaint to the NCCIA on your behalf or guarantee an outcome — you or a lawyer should file it directly.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Related reading
How to File a Cyber Crime Complaint in Pakistan
Article · Wakeel Journal
Cybercrime in Pakistan: Types, Punishments and Legal Remedies
Article · Wakeel Journal
Cyberbullying and Online Harassment Laws in Pakistan
Article · Wakeel Journal
Our Approach to Legal Sources
How Wakeel grounds answers in Pakistani law
Ready to file a complaint?
Walk Wakeel through what happened and get help organizing a clear account before you file with the NCCIA.