Pakistan is a prime target for cyber attacks, which occur around the clock, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General Hafeez ur Rehman said on Thursday.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Cyber Security Awareness Week, he said thousands of fake videos are circulating in the country and that citizens routinely receive fraudulent calls and One-Time Password (OTP) messages.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is working to address the issue, he added. The PTA chairman urged the public not to share unverified messages. He said the authorities also receive fake threats and that the telecom sector remains vulnerable.
NADRA, PEMRA, the PTA and other organisations have strengthened their systems to prevent attacks, he noted, adding that public awareness and sound policy are both essential to securing the country’s digital future.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also addressed the ceremony and called for a regulatory framework to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and social media. He stressed the need for public awareness of social media use and fake news.
Tarar said digital education should be introduced in schools, colleges and universities, with syllabi updated accordingly. Children must be trained to protect themselves from cyber threats, he said.
The minister said the government must consult stakeholders, hold training programmes and ensure that cyber safety information reaches every citizen. Although several teams are already working on the issue, efforts must continue, he said.
He added that young people, particularly Gen Z, must be involved in building a secure future for Pakistan.
