Pakistan faced more than 400 cyberattacks during the current year, but all attempts were successfully detected and neutralized, Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) Dr. Haider Abbas has revealed.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Haider Abbas highlighted the growing cyber threats facing Pakistan and proposed the establishment of a powerful National Cybersecurity Authority under the leadership of the Prime Minister to strengthen the country’s digital security framework.
He said Pakistan needs a strong national cybersecurity authority that can oversee and manage cybersecurity across the country. According to him, an institution operating directly under the Prime Minister would be able to respond more effectively to emerging cyber threats.
The National CERT chief said cybersecurity is now directly linked with national security. He noted that recent global conflicts have demonstrated that technology has become a major battlefield, making continuous monitoring of cyber threats and prevention of attacks essential for national protection.
Dr. Abbas disclosed that Pakistan experienced more than 400 cyberattack attempts in 2026 targeting government institutions, private organizations, businesses, and critical infrastructure. He said some of these attacks were state-sponsored, with hostile actors repeatedly attempting to gain unauthorized access to Pakistan’s systems.
He confirmed that all cyberattacks targeting Pakistan were successfully prevented and did not cause major damage.
The National CERT director general said the National Cybersecurity Policy 2021 required institutions to develop their own cybersecurity strategies. He added that organizations including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), State Bank of Pakistan, and NADRA have developed cybersecurity plans, while several other institutions still need to complete the process.
He said a baseline cybersecurity standard for Pakistan has been presented to the federal cabinet. After approval, the standard will be implemented across institutions, with full enforcement expected by the end of the year.
Dr. Haider Abbas also stressed the importance of screening foreign software and hardware being used in Pakistan. He said a Common Criteria Laboratory has been established to assess the security of imported technology products.
He added that Pakistan aims to fully implement security standards by June 2028, ensuring that all software and hardware used by government institutions undergo proper security evaluation.
Speaking about artificial intelligence, the National CERT chief called for legislation to ensure the safe use of AI technologies. He warned that artificial intelligence can be used not only for development purposes but also as a potential tool in cyber warfare.
Dr. Abbas said several Pakistani institutions are performing well in cybersecurity, while the National CERT continues efforts to improve coordination among organizations and strengthen the country’s overall cyber defense capabilities.
