ISLAMABAD – International organizations such as Google, Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, Microsoft, and WhatsApp often don’t share records with thegovernment, which leads to dead-end investigations into cybercrimes in thecountry.
This was revealed by director Cyber Crime Wing, Federal InvestigationAgency (FIA) while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee onInformation Technology and Telecommunication. The committee met with AliKhan Jadoon chairing the meeting.
The director Cyber Crime Wing apprised the committee that investigations oftransactional electronic cybercrimes require records from internationalorganizations.
He added that the servers of all companies are outside Pakistan and lack ofprovision of records from these companies has led to failed investigations.
The best way to enhance cybercrime investigation is to sign a Mutual LegalAssistant Treaty (MLAT) to get the provision of digital records fromoutside Pakistan, he added.
The director also informed the committee that FIA shall be the designatedagency for extending or requesting international cooperation under thePakistan Electronic Crime Act 2016 and may fully utilize Interpol forextending/seeking intelligence cooperation in cybercrime-related cases.
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The committee showed its displeasure on the absence of secretary interiorfrom the meeting.
The director-general National Information Technology Board (NITB) informedthe committee that E-Office has been implemented in 31 ministries including48 departments out of 42 ministries/divisions and the implementation of thesaid application is pending in remaining 11 ministries due tonon-availability of required infrastructure.
The procurement of required infrastructure is in process and will becompleted in the next financial year subject to the release of funds by theFinance Division.
While briefing about vacant positions of senior management in the ministryand its attached departments, the additional secretary MoITT informed themeeting that the said posts will be filled by the ministry withintwo-and-a-half-month.
