Pakistan successfully thwarted more than 400 cyberattacks during 2026, according to Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), Dr. Haider Abbas, who warned that cybersecurity has become an integral part of national security and called for stronger institutions, stricter compliance, and comprehensive legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking about Pakistan’s evolving cyber threat landscape, Dr. Abbas revealed that the country faced hundreds of cyberattacks throughout the year, including several allegedly backed by state-sponsored actors. He said all of these attacks were detected and neutralized through continuous monitoring and rapid response mechanisms before they could inflict significant damage on the country’s digital infrastructure.
According to Dr. Abbas, cyber warfare is no longer a future concern but an ongoing reality, making it essential for governments to strengthen their digital defenses. He emphasized that cyber threats have expanded beyond financial fraud and hacking attempts, increasingly targeting critical infrastructure, government systems, and national security institutions.
The National CERT chief stressed that protecting Pakistan’s cyberspace requires coordinated efforts from all public sector organizations. He noted that cybersecurity should no longer be viewed as solely an IT issue but as a strategic national priority requiring institutional commitment at every level.
One of the key proposals presented by Dr. Abbas is the establishment of a National Cyber Security Authority operating directly under the Prime Minister. According to him, the proposed authority would oversee cybersecurity governance, coordinate national cyber defense strategies, and ensure uniform implementation of security standards across government institutions.
He further suggested introducing penalties for organizations that fail to adopt mandatory cybersecurity measures. Dr. Abbas argued that accountability is necessary to improve cyber resilience and reduce vulnerabilities within both public and critical infrastructure sectors.
Pakistan’s National Cyber Security Policy 2021 already requires every government institution to formulate its own cybersecurity strategy. Dr. Abbas acknowledged that several organizations, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and NADRA, have successfully developed cybersecurity frameworks.
However, he pointed out that some regulatory bodies, including OGRA and NEPRA, have yet to make significant progress in implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, leaving potential gaps in the country’s overall cyber defense framework.
Dr. Abbas also disclosed that Pakistan’s baseline cybersecurity standards have already been submitted to the federal cabinet for approval. Once approved, these standards will become mandatory across government institutions, with full implementation expected by the end of the year.
To further strengthen digital security, National CERT is working to establish stricter controls over imported technology. Dr. Abbas said Pakistan has already set up a Common Criteria Laboratory capable of evaluating software and hardware before deployment in sensitive government systems.
Under the proposed framework, all software and hardware intended for use in government organizations will undergo mandatory security testing to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with national cybersecurity requirements. Pakistan Security Standards are expected to become fully operational by June 2028.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently in Dr. Abbas’ recommendations. He urged lawmakers to introduce legislation governing the safe and responsible use of AI, warning that rapidly advancing technologies could pose serious security risks if left unregulated.
According to him, AI has enormous potential to improve productivity and public services but can also be exploited for cyber warfare, misinformation campaigns, surveillance, and sophisticated cyberattacks. He stressed that legal safeguards are necessary to ensure AI technologies are deployed responsibly while protecting national interests.
Dr. Abbas concluded by noting that many Pakistani institutions are making encouraging progress in strengthening cybersecurity capabilities. He added that National CERT is working closely with government organizations to improve coordination, share threat intelligence, and build a unified national response against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
With cyberattacks becoming more frequent worldwide, Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen digital defenses, establish national security standards, and regulate emerging technologies reflect the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting the country’s economy, institutions, and critical infrastructure.
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