NCCIA says gang sold officials’ data to foreign entities, four held

ISLAMABAD: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said on Friday it had dismantled a group accused of obtaining and selling sensitive personal information of government officers to foreign entities, and arrested four suspects in South Punjab.

Speaking at a press conference, NCCIA Director General Syed Khurram Ali said the group had been collecting and selling call records, CNIC details and passport information of key officials. The arrested suspects were identified as Arshad Tariq, Arham Bari, Anam Sabir and Mohammad Rizwan.

According to the NCCIA chief, forensic analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones has already been carried out as part of the investigation. He said the accused had been sharing the data with foreign intelligence agencies and described the case as organised espionage and cybercrime.

Cases registered, inquiry widened

Ali said the agency had registered cases over the unlawful transfer of data outside Pakistan. He added that investigators were also examining the email accounts of institutional staff to determine how the information had been accessed.

The NCCIA has also instructed government institutions to improve their data protection systems and ensure that sensitive information is not available to unauthorised persons. Ali said responsibility for protecting such data lies with those who are given access to it.

He said the investigation was continuing to identify any government officials who may have facilitated the breach.

Separate action over online campaign

During the same press conference, the NCCIA director general also disclosed that a number of individuals had been arrested over an online campaign calling for Swat to be made part of Afghanistan. He warned that action would be taken against those who speak against the state.

Referring to the agency’s role, Ali said:

“If the NCCIA does not take action against those who do not trust the state of Pakistan, then what should it do?”

He also said the NCCIA currently has 480 personnel deployed across the country and that efforts were under way to build the agency’s capacity further.

The developments were shared by the NCCIA chief as the agency outlined its ongoing cybercrime and data security operations. The case involving the alleged sale of officials’ personal data remains under investigation, with authorities focusing on both the suspects already in custody and possible facilitators linked to the breach.