ISLAMABAD – The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has disclosed that sensitive personal data of Pakistani citizens is being openly sold on the dark web, raising alarm over one of the country’s most serious cybersecurity breaches to date.
Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, the PTA chief revealed that stolen data includes citizens’ mobile SIM details, scanned copies of national identity cards, and even travel history. Shockingly, he added, the records of Hajj applicants are also available online, with complete information accessible for as little as Rs. 500.
According to the chairman, the PTA first conducted an internal inquiry into the breach in 2022, but the matter has now been escalated, with the Ministry of Interior launching its own investigation. “This is a grave issue. Pakistan must move urgently to protect its citizens’ data. The government should establish a highly secure data center to prevent such incidents in the future,” he urged.
Committee member Senator Afnanullah described the data leak as a “major scandal,” stressing that investigations must identify and hold accountable those responsible for leaking sensitive information.
The session also grew tense over the absence of the Federal Minister for IT and Telecom. Expressing displeasure, the committee chairperson remarked that when her committee convenes, the Prime Minister should refrain from summoning the IT Minister and Secretary elsewhere.
The revelations underscore growing concerns about Pakistan’s weak data protection framework at a time when digital threats are rapidly escalating worldwide.
