Website hacking and data leaks have emerged as a serious threat to Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, with both federal and provincial government institutions becoming major targets of cyberattacks.
Official websites and government databases are increasingly being targeted, while hackers are using data theft, phishing campaigns, and fake websites to exploit institutions as well as ordinary citizens.
According to official documents, 98 cyberattacks were reported in Pakistan during the first three months of the current year.
Out of these incidents, 32 cyberattacks targeted provincial government institutions, while 21 attacks were reported against federal government departments.
The business sector recorded 16 cyberattack cases, while 13 cybersecurity incidents were reported in educational institutions.
In addition, four incidents occurred in the telecom sector, while three cases each were reported in the health, power, and media sectors.
Authorities also recorded four phishing campaigns and nine cases involving fake websites designed to deceive users. Meanwhile, one incident each related to the defense and aviation sectors was also reported.
The documents reveal that website hacking was the most common type of cyberattack, with 42 cases reported. Additionally, 17 incidents each of data leaks and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks were recorded.
Despite the number of attacks, only two cyber incidents resulted in complete website shutdowns.
To counter these threats, the National Computer Emergency Response Team of Pakistan (National CERT) has been actively working to prevent cyberattacks. The organization has issued guidelines to government departments and institutions to strengthen data security and improve online systems.
Cybersecurity incidents have been rising steadily in recent years. A total of 410 cybersecurity incidents were reported in 2024, while 517 incidents were recorded in 2025.
In 2024, there were 47 cyberattacks against federal government institutions and 69 against provincial governments. The number increased significantly in 2025, with 111 attacks targeting federal institutions and 137 targeting provincial governments, highlighting the growing cybersecurity challenges facing Pakistan.
