Pakistan has entered the ranks of top-tier countries in cybersecurity following a notable improvement in international rankings. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja marked the conclusion of Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026 during a closing ceremony.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the United Nations Development Programme jointly organised the awareness week. Khawaja said cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue but a shared challenge affecting the country's way of life, economic development, and national security.
The minister confirmed that Security Operations Centres and the National Computer Emergency Response Team are now fully operational at the federal level. Provincial CERTs are also prepared to respond to cyber threats, while amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act have made the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency an independent body.
Comprehensive cybersecurity legislation is currently in its final stages of development. Khawaja warned that children aged 12 to 18 face serious risks like child grooming and cyberbullying on metaverse and online gaming platforms.
She urged parents to avoid sharing children's photographs, school details, and home addresses on social media.
