Pakistan thwarts Indian cyberattacks on federal ministries: Shaza Fatima

ISLAMABAD: Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima confirmed on Tuesday that Pakistan had successfully repelled a series of cyberattacks originating from India targeting various government ministries.

Addressing reporters, the minister stated that while attempts were made to breach Pakistani systems, “no major damage occurred” from the attacks. She particularly stressed that the telecom sector remained unaffected by the hostile cyber activity.

“The websites of federal ministries are hosted on NTC (National Telecommunication Corporation), which has one of the best cybersecurity systems in place,” Fatima said, expressing confidence in Pakistan’s digital defenses.

The minister revealed that Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) had been activated and were currently issuing security advisories to relevant departments. She added that the National Telecommunication and Information Security Board (NTISB) was also fully operational to monitor and counter cyber threats.

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Highlighting Pakistan’s cybersecurity capabilities, Fatima asserted that the country ranks among top nations in terms of digital security preparedness. “Pakistan has always advocated for peace, but we are not afraid of anyone,” she maintained, signaling both restraint and resolve.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, with cyberspace emerging as a new frontier in their longstanding rivalry.

No specific details were provided about the nature of the attempted attacks or which ministries were targeted. The minister added that Pakistan’s traditional stance of responsible behavior while showing trust in nation’s defensive capabilities.