ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (APP):Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday said that Pakistan had joined the top-tier countries in cybersecurity following a significant improvement in global rankings, while comprehensive cybersecurity legislation was in its final stages.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026, organised jointly by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), she said that cybersecurity was no longer merely an IT issue but a shared challenge concerning the country’s way of life, economic development and national security.
She said that Security Operations Centres (SOCs) and the National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) were fully operational at the federal level, while provincial CERTs were also ready to respond to cyber threats.
She added that necessary amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) had made the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency an independent body to enable prompt action against online crimes and complaints.
Shaza Fatima said that, under the prime minister’s special directives, young people were receiving training in artificial intelligence and advanced cybersecurity at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).
The minister urged parents to avoid sharing their children’s photographs, school details and home addresses on social media.
She warned that children aged between 12 and 18 were exposed to serious risks, including child grooming and cyberbullying, on metaverse and online gaming platforms.
She said that the internet could not be shut down out of fear in an age of technological advancement, stressing the need for greater vigilance among citizens.
She urged internet users to pause and carefully verify information before clicking on any online link.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
