Pakistan Declares Indian-Made Tech Devices a National Threat

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division has raised concerns that Pakistan’s cybersecurity is under threat from mobile phones, gadgets, and other technological devices manufactured in India. To address this issue, a formal letter has been sent to federal ministries, divisions, and the chief secretaries of all provinces.

Media reports indicate that a letter from the Cabinet Division raised concerns about the possibility of Indian involvement with Pakistan’s critical information infrastructure, adding that geopolitical tensions between the two countries could pose a threat to cybersecurity.

The Cabinet Division issued a warning about the potential security concerns posed to Pakistan by Indian-manufactured items and devices, as well as the possibility of sensitive data being stolen through access to bogus websites and Apple-like portals. There is a risk that these items may include malware and gather data from users in Pakistan.

Sources have raised concerns about viruses in the hardware or software of these goods. There are also worries about tampering and the risk of spyware or malware.

Hackers may pose as Apple representatives or service centres in India to gain access to sensitive information and conduct targeted cyberattacks using Indian products. Phishing emails and texts could lead to portal and website access.

You should only buy Apple products in Pakistan from authorized dealers, according to the letter, and you should always check the device’s validity before buying it. Additionally, it recommended employing strong passwords, antivirus software, end-to-end encrypted communication services, strong passwords, and regularly updating Apple devices through the iPhone operating system.

The Cabinet Division also suggested going through Apple’s official channels to get updates.

Insights from the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Nevertheless, according to recently released research by the World Economic Forum (WEF), geopolitical shifts have intensified cybersecurity threats around the world.

The study called Global Security Outlook 2025 says that cybersecurity is becoming very complicated because of changes in global politics. This is taking place when both new technology and threats are expanding at an incredible rate.

The research shows that 60% of organizations have acknowledged that the ever-changing geopolitical landscape has affected their cybersecurity strategies. The report goes on to say that people’s perceptions of risk have shifted due to the worsening geopolitical environment.

At the same time, cyber espionage and the theft of confidential data and IP are the top concerns of one-third of CEOs.

Additionally, the survey mentions that 45 percent of cybersecurity executives are very worried about the potential disruption of operations and business processes caused by the fast adoption of new technologies. This rapid adoption brings with it additional dangers and difficulties.

The study suggests that organizations should use modern cybersecurity methods to reduce the effects of cyber incidents on their goals and objectives.

The World Economic Forum’s study highlighted the importance of using resources to tackle cyber threats, looking at them from a social and economic point of view.

Furthermore, the survey reveals that increased regulatory complications, supply chain flaws, and rising shortages in cyber competence have made it more difficult for organizations to maintain security.

AI’s Role in Cybersecurity

According to the survey, a majority of organizations (66%) anticipate that artificial intelligence (AI) will greatly influence cybersecurity in the next years. Additionally, a substantial portion of organizations (37%) have highlighted the need to build protocols to assess the safety of AI technologies prior to their deployment. In addition, 35% of small businesses believe their cyber resilience is inadequate, according to the report.

This difference in cybersecurity actions shows that there are area variations. The study shows that only 15% of organizations in Europe and North America lack confidence in their country’s ability to handle major cyberattacks. In contrast, this figure is 36% in Africa and 42% in Latin America.

The research says that the public sector is the most affected area, with 38% of people saying they don’t have enough skills to defend against cyber threats. In contrast, only 10% of people in private organizations feel the same way. Similarly, there is a talent gap in cybersecurity, with 49% of private companies saying they don’t have enough people to accomplish their goals.