KARACHI – In a swift and efficient response to an attempted cyber incident, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) confirmed that port operations remained uninterrupted on Friday after its official X (formerly Twitter) account was briefly compromised. The hacking incident spread disinformation, falsely claiming that Karachi Port had sustained severe damage due to a missile strike from India.
The unauthorized access to KPT’s social media account resulted in the dissemination of misleading and alarming content, suggesting large-scale damage to port infrastructure and significant financial losses. However, KPT officials were quick to counter the narrative, assuring the public and stakeholders that the port remained secure and operational throughout.
“Our IT team recovered the social media accounts within 30 minutes,” a senior KPT official stated. “There was no disruption in operations, and no damage was caused to any infrastructure.” To demonstrate transparency and reinforce trust, KPT also invited media representatives to the site in the evening, where they witnessed routine cargo handling activities underway without issue.
The Karachi Port continued its operations seamlessly, handling a total of 168,082 tonnes of cargo on Friday. This included 108,856 tonnes of imports and 59,226 tonnes of exports. A total of eight vessels berthed at the port, while three departed. Furthermore, KPT confirmed that nine additional vessels carrying containers, general cargo, and ammonium nitrate are scheduled to arrive within the next two days, underscoring the uninterrupted flow of maritime logistics.
The incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the use of disinformation as a tool to disrupt critical infrastructure and public trust. While no lasting damage was inflicted, the temporary hijacking of a verified government-linked communication channel serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures across all digital platforms—especially those tied to national infrastructure and logistics.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents are increasingly becoming part of broader hybrid warfare tactics, where psychological disruption is combined with digital attacks to create confusion and panic. While this particular attempt was quickly neutralized, the potential for misinformation to spiral and cause real-world consequences remains a significant concern.
KPT’s prompt action and transparent communication not only averted unnecessary panic but also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining operational integrity even in the face of digital threats. The trust placed in Pakistan’s key maritime gateways is critical for international trade, and the ability to maintain functionality and public confidence during crises is an essential part of port security and resilience.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, experts suggest that critical infrastructure entities such as port authorities, power grids, and public transport systems must continuously upgrade their cybersecurity frameworks. Regular drills, rapid response teams, and public communications protocols are now vital components in the defense against cybercrime.
The incident serves as a case study in effective crisis management and reinforces the need for heightened vigilance in an age where misinformation can be deployed as a weapon.
