MCB Bank Limited is strengthening its cybersecurity strategy as Pakistan’s banking sector continues to face an evolving digital threat landscape, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced new digital initiatives to improve access to land records and government services. The developments highlight ongoing efforts across Pakistan to enhance digital security, improve service delivery, and expand technology adoption across financial and public sectors. MCB Bank Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Suman Siddiqui highlighted that cybersecurity has shifted from being reactive to a more proactive approach, where prevention, intelligence, and visibility have become central elements of digital protection strategies. As financial institutions continue to adopt digital banking solutions, stronger cybersecurity frameworks are becoming increasingly important to protect sensitive information and maintain customer trust. Through its collaboration with TrendAI and TechnoBIZ, MCB Bank aims to improve threat detection capabilities, strengthen information security measures, and enhance overall cyber resilience. The partnership reflects the banking sector’s growing focus on using advanced security solutions to identify potential risks before they impact digital services.
At the same time, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has moved forward with its digital governance initiatives through the launch of an e-Fard portal and a Digital Public Feedback System. The initiatives were introduced by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi as part of the provincial government’s wider digitisation efforts aimed at making public services more accessible and reducing the need for citizens to repeatedly visit revenue offices. The e-Fard portal enables citizens to obtain land records digitally from their homes or through designated service centres. The service will be available through NADRA e-Sahulat Centres, the government’s self-service website, and the Dastak App, providing multiple options for citizens to request land documents.
The digital Fard system includes biometric verification through NADRA to confirm user identity before accessing records. Payments for the service will be processed electronically through 1LINK and Easypaisa, with issued documents remaining available in users’ accounts for future downloads. Each e-Fard document will also include a QR code that allows verification against the central land record system, reducing reliance on physical copies and supporting easier authentication of official documents. During the launch, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi stated that citizens should not have to make repeated visits to revenue offices for obtaining Fard documents and emphasized that digitisation can improve the speed, transparency, and convenience of revenue services.
Alongside the e-Fard portal, the Digital Public Feedback System has been introduced to connect citizen experiences with government monitoring mechanisms. Selected users of revenue services will receive randomised calls, with their feedback recorded and classified based on satisfaction levels. Complaints from citizens who report dissatisfaction will be shared through dashboards accessible to relevant deputy commissioners, enabling officials to identify delays, service issues, and areas requiring improvement. The feedback system will also contribute to monthly performance evaluations of district revenue administrations, with stronger-performing districts recognised and areas requiring improvement expected to provide corrective measures. The introduction of these digital services comes as land records continue to play an important role in property transactions, inheritance processes, and administrative activities. The KP government expects the new systems to improve transparency, accountability, and public confidence by simplifying access to records and creating stronger feedback channels. Together with cybersecurity advancements in Pakistan’s banking sector, these developments demonstrate the growing role of technology in improving security, accessibility, and efficiency across different areas of public and private services.
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