ISLAMABAD: National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Director General Syed Khurram Ali informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday that the federal government has approved the creation of 600 new posts for the agency.

The disclosure was made during a hearing presided over by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani regarding a petition seeking the regularisation of 200 NCCIA employees serving in Grades 1 to 15.

During the proceedings, DG NCCIA Syed Khurram Ali testified that the agency had originally requested 850 positions to meet its operational requirements, of which 600 posts have received formal government approval.

He further informed the bench that the agency has drafted its service rules and submitted them to the relevant authorities for final authorisation.

Justice Kayani observed that the 200 petitioners currently seeking permanent status had been inducted through a formal process, including public advertisements and interviews.

The court emphasised that these employees should not fall victim to administrative changes or political victimisation.

“The purpose of summoning the DG is to ensure these citizens are not treated unfairly,” Justice Kayani remarked.

He noted that while the DG maintains the authority to assess the “fitness and conduct” of staff, those with satisfactory performance records should be regularised according to their respective scales.

The court warned that failing to provide job security leads to a cycle where new inductions are frequently overturned by successive governments.

Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman and other legal representatives appeared before the court to argue the case.

Following the conclusion of arguments from all parties, the IHC directed the NCCIA to submit a written response regarding the matter within one day.

Justice Kayani has reserved the judgment on the petition.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026