ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Naeem revealed that the country’s entire data is stored on foreign servers, making it highly vulnerable to theft. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, the PTA chairman disclosed that his personal SIM data has been circulating on the dark web since 2022.
He also shared that the data of individuals who had applied for Hajj was stolen and is now available on the dark web. Naeem stressed the urgent need for a national data centre to safeguard sensitive information and protect Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
Senator Afnanullah, a member of the committee, highlighted that data theft and its illegal sale have turned into a multi-billion-rupee industry, with powerful interest groups allegedly blocking the passage of the Data Protection Bill.
Committee Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan voiced concerns about the security situation and shared her personal experience of receiving a call from a private number asking for credit card payment, indicating that her personal data had been compromised. She urged the government to pass the Data Protection Bill and expose those working to prevent its implementation.
The PTA chairman further advised parliament members and the public to avoid accepting mobile phones as gifts, warning that such devices may contain surveillance bugs that could intercept calls and access apps like WhatsApp.
Ministry of IT officials confirmed that the Data Protection Bill has been drafted, and an alternative to WhatsApp is being considered. They also noted that consultations with stakeholders and security clearances are ongoing.
