ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission has issued a show cause notice to National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Director General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi after the agency neither filed a written response nor deputed any representative in proceedings linked to a citizen’s request for records of an old cybercrime inquiry.
The Commission has asked the NCCIA chief to explain why proceedings should not be initiated against him under Section 20(1)(f) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, and why a fine should not be imposed for his non-appearance before the Commission.
However, the issuance of the show cause notice does not amount to imposition of a fine or a finding that the Director General has committed any violation. He has been provided an opportunity to submit his explanation.
According to the Commission’s order dated October 7, 2026, in Appeal No. 5995 08 of 2026, no representative of the NCCIA attended the hearing despite two notices issued to the Director General on September 9 and September 24. The Commission also noted that no written reply had been received from the agency.
The order stated that the Commission’s Registrar’s Office contacted the designated public officer, who reportedly said he was busy in a meeting and could not appear. The Commission found the explanation unacceptable in the circumstances, especially as the agency had also failed to submit a written response.
The Commission observed that under Section 17 of the Right of Access to Information Act, appeals are required to be decided within 60 days. It said the agency’s failure to respond and appear was causing delay in the timely disposal of the appeal.
In the show cause notice dated October 8, 2026, the NCCIA Director General was directed to explain why proceedings under Section 20(1)(f) of the Act should not be initiated and why a fine should not be imposed over non-appearance. The agency was also directed to either submit its written reply or provide the requested information, if it did not contest the request, before the next hearing.
The next hearing has been fixed for November 5, 2026, at 11:30am.
The matter relates to a request for official records concerning Inquiry No. RE 490 of 2023. The inquiry was originally maintained by the former FIA Cyber Crime Circle and is now associated with the NCCIA.
The request was filed on behalf of the applicant by Munir Ahmad, an advocate of the High Court. The applicant invoked Article 19A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right of access to information in matters of public importance, along with the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The applicant sought the complete inquiry report, including annexures, and details of the authority that approved the initiation of the inquiry. She also asked the agency to specify the laws, rules or regulations under which a person may file a complaint on behalf of another person.
The request further asked whether a person not directly connected with a matter, or not personally affected by it, could legally lodge a complaint with the NCCIA or the former FIA Cyber Crime Wing. The applicant sought the relevant legal provisions if such a procedure is permissible.
The applicant also requested all evidence collected by the inquiry officer, notices issued to complainant Tayab Bin Tahir for appearance to record his statement, and a copy of his statement recorded before the inquiry officer under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
She also sought a copy of her own statement submitted to the former FIA Cyber Crime Circle and asked the agency to explain why she had been summoned when, according to her request, her name was not mentioned in the complaint filed by Tayab Bin Tahir.
The request also covered technical evidence concerning the alleged messages. The applicant asked for the forensic report of the mobile phones allegedly used to send the messages, as well as ownership details of the SIM cards and phones said to be involved.
The applicant had requested that the information be supplied within 10 days and had stated that an appeal would be filed before the Pakistan Information Commission if the agency did not respond.
The case is now before the Commission, which has sought an explanation from the NCCIA head over the agency’s failure to appear and respond. The next hearing will allow the agency to present its position and address the pending request for information.
