Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged women not to share their photographs under any circumstances amid a rising tide of cybercrime incidents across the country. Addressing journalists during an open court at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) office in Lahore, the minister expressed grave concern over the alarming frequency of digital harassment cases being reported on a daily basis.

"I request women, for God's sake, not to share their pictures under any circumstances," Naqvi said, emphasizing that personal photographs shared digitally are frequently weaponized by malicious actors to blackmail vulnerable individuals and families in society. He revealed during the interaction that the NCCIA was receiving the highest number of cases involving the severe harassment of young girls and women.

The minister pointed out that perpetrators often exploit trust or use deceptive online profiles to acquire private media before initiating extortion schemes that leave victims emotionally and socially devastated. Naqvi also cautioned the general public against transferring money to unknown individuals requesting funds online, including scammers pretending to be ill or in desperate need of emergency medical financial help.

Financial fraud has evolved significantly on social media platforms, requiring citizens to exercise extreme caution before executing digital transactions. "If someone asks you for money online, do not transfer it under any circumstances," he said, adding that citizens should strictly refrain from sending funds even if someone claims to be suffering from a terminal or critical illness.

The interior minister stated that the federal government is actively working to ensure adequate staffing and modern technological resources to swiftly address the grievances of people approaching the agency. He noted that augmenting institutional capacity is essential to reducing the massive backlog of pending complaints.

Furthermore, Naqvi announced that a comprehensive and nationwide awareness campaign specifically targeted at girls, educational institutions, and the general public is currently in the pipeline. This educational drive aims to equip citizens with digital safety best practices and preventive measures against online predators.

He further noted that unscrupulous elements and organized cybercriminal rings have created thousands of fake social media accounts impersonating reputable figures and charitable causes to swindle money from innocent citizens. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying monitoring and intelligence-based operations to dismantle these networks.

Concluding his remarks, the minister reiterated that protecting the privacy, dignity, and financial security of citizens remains a top priority for the interior ministry, and strict legal action will be taken against habitual offenders without any discrimination.