Preventing Cybercrime.

There has been an unprecedented rise in the number of cybercrime complaints to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Over 10,000 cyber crimes were reported in Karachi in 2020 which is 20 percent more than last year. An estimated 50 percent increase has been recorded in complaints about online financial crimes, harassment, women harassment, and child pornography in 2020 than in 2019.

There are a number of factors behind this rise. The pandemic has led to an increase in online activity, accounting for the rise of cybercrime complaints. However, perhaps the most compelling reason for the hike in complaints is simply that more sensitive cases, concerning harassment of women and children, are being reported.

This is a good thing-it indicates more citizen trust in the FIA. Previously cases like these simply went unreported due to stigma, social taboos and a lack of trust in the government employees itself. There was a fear of victim-blaming, lack of accountability against the culprits and insensitive investigation officers, which prevented victims from reporting crimes. The...