The government of Pakistan is working on a comprehensive cybersecurity law aimed at protecting the country’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, as officials warn that technological growth is bringing new and complex security threats.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, federal IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said authorities are drafting a new Cyber Security Act that will establish a specialized regulatory authority responsible for monitoring and defending the country’s cyber ecosystem.
The proposed authority will oversee national cyber defenses, coordinate responses to digital threats and introduce stronger safeguards for government networks, financial systems and critical digital services.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader digital transformation strategy, known as Digital Nation Pakistan, which aims to expand electronic governance, promote digital payments and make public services increasingly accessible through online platforms.
Officials say the initiative is intended to modernize state institutions and accelerate economic activity through technology. However, they acknowledge that the transition toward a digitally driven economy also exposes institutions and citizens to greater risks such as cyberattacks, data theft and digital espionage.
During her address, the minister stressed that the rise of digital technologies requires stronger protective frameworks rather than a slowdown in technological progress. She said Pakistan must develop resilient cybersecurity systems capable of detecting, preventing and responding to emerging cyber threats.
Government officials highlighted that several cybersecurity mechanisms are already operating in the country. These include the National Computer Emergency Response Team, which monitors cyber incidents and coordinates responses, as well as provincial-level CERT units that assist in protecting regional networks.
Authorities have also deployed the National Threat Intelligence System, a monitoring platform designed to track cyber threats continuously and facilitate coordination among different government agencies.
According to the minister, cybersecurity today requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines technology, regulation and intelligence gathering. She said protecting digital systems involves specialists in network security, encryption technologies, digital forensics and threat analysis working together.
Fatima also warned that the rapid growth of data-intensive technologies such as genomics and artificial intelligence is creating entirely new categories of security concerns.
While such technologies have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and scientific research, she cautioned that misuse of sensitive biological and digital data could have serious consequences. Large genetic databases, she said, could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to develop targeted biological threats against particular populations.
The minister also pointed to Pakistan’s experience during the military confrontation with India last year, saying the country’s cyber defense infrastructure successfully protected critical systems despite sustained attempts at cyber intrusion.
She said government communication networks remained fully operational during the conflict and no breach was recorded in major state systems. According to officials, the defense was achieved through close cooperation between multiple institutions.
These included the IT ministry, the National Telecommunication Corporation, national cybersecurity teams and cyber command units within the armed forces.
Officials say the upcoming Cyber Security Act is expected to formalize such coordination and introduce stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that public and private sector systems maintain high security standards.
Experts believe the proposed legislation could become a key component of Pakistan’s digital governance framework, particularly as banking systems, government databases and public services increasingly move online.
With internet usage, digital financial services and cloud-based platforms expanding rapidly across the country, analysts say stronger cybersecurity policies will be essential to protect national data, economic activity and public trust in digital systems.
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