News Detail
Event Title: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-07-08
Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights Seeks Briefing from NCCIA and Revised FIR Mechanism in Blasphemy Cases
The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights met under the chairpersonship of Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri to review the performance of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, delays in cybercrime complaint redressal, progress in the murder case of Lahore resident Ahmed Javed, and the procedure being followed in blasphemy related cases.
The Committee expressed serious concern over delays in processing cybercrime complaints and the reported technical issues in the NCCIA online complaint portal. Senator Qurat ul Ain Marri informed the Committee that a sustained online campaign had been launched against her and her family on social media, and that no effective action had been taken despite filing a formal complaint through legal counsel.
NCCIA officials informed the Committee that technical and operational constraints had affected the online complaint system. They stated that written complaints could also be submitted through legal representatives for immediate processing and that remedial work on the portal was under way. The Committee was also informed that action regarding blocking or restricting objectionable online content is generally completed within fifteen days.
Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri expressed dissatisfaction over the delay and observed that no complainant, whether a parliamentarian or an ordinary citizen, should be left helpless due to technical excuses or institutional inaction. She emphasized that the dignity, privacy and safety of citizens must be protected through a prompt and effective complaint redressal mechanism.
The Committee also took notice of complaints regarding false and malicious content against elected representatives. Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan informed the Committee that fabricated allegations had been spread against him on social media and that no meaningful action had been taken despite approaching the concerned agency.
In view of these concerns, the Committee decided to summon the Director General of the NCCIA in its next meeting scheduled for 17 July 2026. The Director General has been directed to personally brief the Committee on the status of the online complaint portal, delays in complaint processing, enforcement timelines, institutional response protocols and corrective measures being taken to improve the agency’s performance.
The Committee also reviewed progress in the murder case of Ahmed Javed. The victim’s father briefed the Committee on the hardship faced by the family and stated that justice had not yet been delivered despite the passage of several months. The Committee expressed concern over the delay and emphasized that families of victims must be treated with dignity and kept informed about the progress of investigation in serious criminal cases.
The Committee thereafter received a briefing from the Home Secretary Punjab on blasphemy related cases. The Committee was informed that the Government of Punjab had constituted a special committee to examine such cases and that two meetings had already been held. The Home Secretary stated that an inter agency coordination mechanism had also been established to strengthen prosecution, improve coordination and streamline legal proceedings.
The Committee was further informed that online blasphemy related content is being monitored through a dedicated monitoring centre and actionable reports are forwarded to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for necessary legal and regulatory action. The Home Secretary stated that during Muharram alone, approximately three thousand complaints relating to online blasphemy content were referred to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan emphasized that the rights and protection of minorities must be ensured at all costs and called for proper redressal of grievances of the Christian community, particularly in relation to the Faisalabad matter. The Committee was informed that each case would be examined individually for appropriate redressal.
Chairperson Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri sought a detailed briefing on the revised mechanism for registration of FIRs in blasphemy cases. She directed that the Committee be briefed on every step of the procedure so that due process, fair investigation, protection of innocent persons and prevention of misuse of law are fully ensured.
The Committee also decided to seek a briefing from the Ministry concerned on the growing incidence of HIV cases in Sindh, particularly among children, under Any Other Matters with the permission of the Chair.
The meeting was attended by Senators Qurat Ul Ain Murri, Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, Tahir Khalil Sandhu , Ponjo Bheel, Aimal Wali Khan, Atta ul Haq and other senior representatives of relevant ministries.
Concluding the proceedings, the Committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutional accountability, protecting citizens from online harassment and disinformation, ensuring timely justice in serious criminal cases, safeguarding due process in blasphemy related matters and protecting the rights of minorities and vulnerable communities.