The government has assured that data collected through the ICT Household Survey will remain secure, saying a strong legal and technical system is already in place to protect citizens’ information, even in the absence of a dedicated data protection law.
Officials told that the framework relies on existing laws and a layered security system managed with the support of NADRA. They stressed that no data can be shared without approval from the Ministry of Interior, and any misuse would be treated as a serious offense against the state.
At the center of this system is the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, which authorities describe as a complete legal framework for handling sensitive citizen data. Under this law, unauthorized access, leaks, or misuse of information can lead to strict punishment, including imprisonment of up to 14 years. Officials also pointed out that these provisions are backed by the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), further strengthening enforcement.
The government has classified NADRA’s systems as Critical Information Infrastructure, placing them under heightened national security protection. This means they must follow strict cybersecurity protocols and remain under continuous monitoring to prevent any breach that could disrupt public systems or compromise national safety.
On the technical side, authorities say the system follows international standards, including ISO-based security practices. Data is protected through end-to-end encryption, both while being transmitted and when stored. Access is tightly controlled, with officials only able to view information relevant to their roles, and all activity is recorded through audit trails.
Officials added that the system is monitored round-the-clock through a Security Operations Centre, while additional safeguards such as firewalls and anti-attack systems are in place to block cyber threats. Regular testing is also conducted to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
All survey data will be stored within NADRA’s existing national database infrastructure, which already handles sensitive identity records. Authorities emphasized that the same level of secrecy and confidentiality applied to national identity data will extend to this survey.
The briefing appears aimed at addressing growing concerns over data privacy, especially as Pakistan still lacks a standalone personal data protection law. By relying on existing legislation and advanced security systems, the government is attempting to reassure both Parliament and the public that citizen information will not be compromised.
