The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan actively participated in a two-day workshop organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Bhurban. The event, held on 4–5 November 2025 under the ICMPD Silk Routes initiative, focused on strengthening coordination among national institutions to combat online fraudulent job advertisements and related cyber-enabled crimes. The workshop titled “Information Sharing and Referral Mechanism” brought together representatives from multiple ministries, enforcement bodies, and regulatory authorities to establish a unified framework for prevention and response.
Representing National CERT, Ms. Zaheema Iqbal, Assistant Director Advisories & Communications, contributed to discussions emphasizing collaboration and coordinated action across key agencies. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). The gathering provided a crucial platform for these entities to share insights, align response strategies, and explore ways to enhance data sharing and case management in addressing fraudulent online recruitment practices.
Among the key outcomes of the workshop was the formulation of a comprehensive draft Charge Matrix designed to categorize and address cases linked to fraudulent job advertisements. Participants reached a consensus on developing referral pathways and workflows to ensure improved coordination between institutions managing cybercrime, emigration, and information security. The workshop also concluded with agreement on a set of follow-up actions, including validating the Charge Matrix under an inter-ministerial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), creating agency-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), and assessing potential IT-based solutions for efficient case management and information tracking.
The initiative highlighted National CERT’s continuing role in promoting awareness, capacity building, and institutional collaboration within Pakistan’s cybersecurity ecosystem. Through such engagements, National CERT aims to foster better communication and alignment between agencies to protect citizens from emerging digital threats and fraudulent online activities. By contributing to the creation of structured response mechanisms, the organization continues to strengthen the national framework for cybersecurity and digital safety. This participation reinforces the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing online exploitation and ensuring that public and private institutions work in sync to protect Pakistan’s digital community.
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