Cyber Harassment Lawyer in Lahore — Protection Under PECA Section 24

What Is Cyber Harassment Under Pakistani Law?

Cyber harassment covers repeated, unwanted contact or online conduct — messages, monitoring, or public posts — intended to intimidate, threaten, or cause distress to a specific person. Section 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 specifically criminalises cyber stalking, defined broadly enough to capture repeated online contact after a request to stop, monitoring someone's online activity without consent, and similar patterns of conduct causing fear or distress. Where the harassment includes false or damaging statements harming a person's reputation, this can overlap with offences against dignity under the same Act. Complaints are filed through the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and prosecuted before the Special Court for PECA offences.

When You Need a Cyber Harassment Lawyer

• Someone is repeatedly messaging, calling, or contacting you online after you've asked them to stop.
• You are being monitored or tracked online by a former partner, colleague, or stranger.
• False or damaging statements about you have been posted online.
• You need to file an NCCIA complaint and want it properly documented and supported.
• You are a professional facing harassment that is affecting your work or reputation.
• You want protective measures in place while the investigation proceeds.

The Cyber Harassment Procedure — Step by Step

1. We review the pattern of contact or conduct and organise the evidence — messages, screenshots, timestamps.
2. We assess whether the conduct meets the threshold for cyber stalking or a related dignity offence under PECA.
3. We prepare and file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
4. We coordinate with NCCIA's investigation, including identification of the harasser where anonymous.
5. We advise on and pursue any available protective measures during the investigation.
6. We represent you through prosecution once the accused is identified and charged.

Documents Required

• Screenshots of all harassing messages, posts, or contact attempts, with dates
• Any record of a request to stop contact that was ignored
• Details of the account, number, or profile used by the harasser, where known
• Evidence of impact — missed work, distress, or related consequences, where relevant
• CNIC and, for overseas clients, a power of attorney

Timeline & Cost Framework

Filing a well-documented complaint typically takes a few days once evidence is organised. NCCIA's investigation and identification of the harasser can take from a few weeks to a couple of months depending on complexity. A full prosecution follows ordinary criminal trial timelines once charges are filed. Fee structure is confirmed after the first consultation, based on the complexity and urgency of the matter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Deleting harassing messages instead of preserving them as evidence.
• Responding to or engaging with the harasser, which can complicate the complaint.
• Waiting too long to report, allowing the pattern of harassment to escalate.
• Assuming nothing can be done because the harasser is anonymous.
• Not documenting dates and times consistently, which weakens the evidentiary record.

For Overseas Pakistanis

Overseas Pakistanis are sometimes harassed online by someone in Pakistan, or continue to be targeted by someone in Pakistan after moving abroad. We file and pursue NCCIA complaints on your behalf regardless of where you currently live, coordinating by phone, email and WhatsApp. cyber harassment case ka wakeel Lahore mein