Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom convened to review critical issues relating to data security and breaches affecting millions of citizens. PTA Chairman briefed members on ongoing concerns surrounding data theft, confirming that sensitive information had surfaced on the dark web as far back as 2022. He explained that SIM data is stored by telecom companies and revealed that the Ministry of Interior had instructed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigate the matter. Committee members expressed alarm at the scale of the breaches and questioned whether the data of every citizen might have been compromised.
During the session, the PTA Chairman disclosed that his own SIM data had appeared on the dark web since 2022, underlining the severity of the situation. Senator Affanullah Khan drew attention to reports estimating that over Rs. 65 billion is being generated from the sale of stolen data. He urged the government to move swiftly to establish strong legislation to protect citizens’ information and warned that failure to do so would expose the country to grave risks. Citing Israel’s 2022 attack on Iran, where critical data was obtained from social media and online sources, Senator Affanullah highlighted external pressures seeking to prevent Pakistan from enacting robust data protection laws.
Members of the committee sharply criticised the Ministry of IT for its inability to bring a comprehensive data protection bill to Parliament. Committee chairperson Senator Manzoor Ahmad voiced frustration over what he described as the Ministry’s inefficiency and questioned Federal Minister Shehzad Fatima’s absence from the meeting. As concerns mounted, it was further disclosed that data from approximately 300,000 Hajj applicants had been found on the dark web, raising new alarms about the vulnerability of personal information. PTA Chairman reiterated that data security is a critical national issue, while Senator Affanullah suggested establishing a high-security data centre to safeguard citizens’ records and mitigate future breaches.
Beyond the immediate concerns about data leaks, the committee also examined persistent problems with internet connectivity in Balochistan. Senator Kamran Murtaza urged that internet packages be extended to address the region’s long-standing issues. PTA Chairman assured members that extensions would be granted in areas where services had been restored, signalling a temporary relief for affected users. The discussion then moved to service quality nationwide, with the chairperson noting that spectrum auctions were essential to improving performance. However, PTA officials pointed out that several spectrum cases remained pending in court, which could delay the process further and impede efforts to upgrade services.
Security infrastructure was another focus of the meeting. Members addressed concerns related to firewalls and the Web Management System, which has been operational since 2005. PTA officials explained that the system is capable of blocking entire platforms but only interferes with calls or SMS if a user’s mobile device has been compromised. PTA Chairman added that every country maintains a Web Management System and acknowledged attempts by the Israeli government to introduce bugs into smartphones to access private information. In a bid to enhance domestic security, Senator Affanullah suggested creating an app similar to WhatsApp that would offer better protections. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of IT confirmed that such an app is currently in development and undergoing security clearance, signalling a step toward building homegrown digital tools to counter rising threats to citizens’ privacy.
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