National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), in collaboration with Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, organized a National Seminar titled “Cyber Sovereignty: A Basic Pillar of Freedom” in Islamabad to promote dialogue on Pakistan digital security, cyber resilience, and national sovereignty. The event featured a high level panel discussion that brought together senior cybersecurity leaders from the technology, regulatory, government, and financial sectors to examine the evolving role of cyber sovereignty in strengthening national security and protecting the country’s digital ecosystem. The seminar served as a platform for exchanging perspectives on emerging cybersecurity challenges while encouraging collaboration among key stakeholders responsible for securing Pakistan digital infrastructure.
The seminar commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Haider Abbas (TI), Director General of National CERT, who emphasized the importance of informed dialogue and multi stakeholder collaboration in addressing the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape. He highlighted the need to strengthen collective efforts to build a secure, resilient, and sovereign digital ecosystem for Pakistan through cooperation among government institutions, industry, academia, and the private sector. The event was attended by Mr. Rafique Ahmed Buriro, Additional Secretary (IT and Telecom), Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, who participated as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. He underscored the growing importance of cyber sovereignty as Pakistan continues to expand its digital transformation initiatives and stressed the need to strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities to safeguard critical digital assets, public services, and national interests. His remarks reflected the increasing significance of coordinated efforts to enhance cybersecurity preparedness while supporting the country’s digital development objectives.
The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Adeela Waqar, Director Labs at National CERT, and featured several prominent cybersecurity experts representing key national institutions. Panelists included Dr. Mukaram Khan, DG Cyber Vigilance and Chief Information Security Officer at PTA, Prof. Dr. Ammar Masood from National Centre for Cyber Security at Air University, Mr. Tauseef Aslam, Chief Information Security Officer at Sky47, Mr. Imran Nasir, Chief Information Security Officer at Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and Dr. Muhammad Yousaf, Director CERT at National CERT. During the discussion, participants examined how cyber sovereignty is becoming a fundamental component of national digital autonomy and freedom. They exchanged views on protecting national digital infrastructure, strengthening data governance frameworks, enhancing cybersecurity capacity, developing a skilled cyber workforce, encouraging technological self reliance, promoting the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, improving institutional preparedness, and expanding public and private sector collaboration to strengthen Pakistan cybersecurity ecosystem.
The event concluded with a souvenir distribution ceremony, where Mr. Rafique Ahmed Buriro and Dr. Haider Abbas presented commemorative shields to the distinguished panelists in recognition of their valuable contributions to the discussion. National CERT reaffirmed its commitment to promoting meaningful dialogue on national cybersecurity priorities while continuing to strengthen institutional capabilities and collaboration across sectors. The organization also reiterated its focus on supporting initiatives that enhance cybersecurity awareness, improve national resilience, and reinforce Pakistan efforts to build a secure, resilient, and sovereign digital ecosystem capable of addressing evolving cyber challenges through coordinated engagement and knowledge sharing.
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