NCCIA seeks 300 officers from Punjab Police on deputation
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has requested 300 officers and personnel from Punjab Police for deployment on deputation, as it moves to address a shortage of staff. The NCCIA 300 officers request is one of the agency’s largest staffing moves this year. A letter seeking the personnel was sent to the Punjab inspector general following approval from the NCCIA director general.
According to the letter, the agency requires 30 deputy superintendents of police, 30 inspectors, 115 sub-inspectors, 25 assistant sub-inspectors and 100 head constables and constables.
Who is eligible
A list naming 107 officers and personnel has already been forwarded to the NCCIA. The agency has requested that the remaining 193 personnel be sent on deputation as soon as possible.
Both male and female police personnel are eligible. Candidates must be under 48 years old, physically fit and hold a minimum educational qualification of BA or ICS, as specified in the letter.
The agency has also sought honest officers and personnel with A-grade service records. Personnel who have received a major punishment, are facing an ongoing inquiry or have a criminal case against them will not meet the eligibility criteria for deputation.
NCCIA 300 officers: part of a wider staffing push
The Punjab request is part of a broader expansion. Earlier this month, the NCCIA also asked the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government for 200 police officers on deputation, including 20 DSPs. The agency wrote to the KP chief secretary and the inspector general of police on September 18, seeking 147 officers, and sent a second letter on October 2 requesting 53 more.
Additional Director NCCIA Nisar Ahmad Khan confirmed the letters. The agency has stepped up action against online fraud and blackmail gangs, and thousands of public complaints are under investigation.
The staffing push comes as the NCCIA’s caseload grows. Just yesterday, the agency’s Lahore zone arrested two men for allegedly defrauding US citizens through an illegal call centre, a case we reported that shows the kind of cross-border fraud the agency is now chasing. More investigators are the agency’s answer to more complaints.
Cybercrime has grown alongside Pakistan’s expanding digital landscape, from financial fraud and online blackmail to identity-related offences. The agency was set up as the country’s central body for investigating cyber offences, and its leadership clearly believes it cannot keep up with the current headcount.
Universities are also being pulled into the effort. We recently covered the NCCERT-HEC cybersecurity MoU with universities, which aims to build the pipeline of cyber talent the country needs, while the Federal CERT handles national-level cyber incident response.
The original reporting on this development was published by ProPakistani and TechJuice.
FAQ
How many officers does the NCCIA want from Punjab Police?
The NCCIA has requested 300 officers and personnel on deputation: 30 DSPs, 30 inspectors, 115 sub-inspectors, 25 ASIs and 100 head constables and constables.
Who is eligible for the deputation?
Male and female personnel under 48, physically fit, with at least a BA or ICS qualification and an A-grade service record. Those with a major punishment, an ongoing inquiry or a criminal case are excluded.
Has the NCCIA sought officers from other provinces?
Yes. Earlier this month it asked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for 200 police officers on deputation through two letters sent on September 18 and October 2.
