Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman has called for cybersecurity awareness to become a continuous national effort rather than a once-a-year campaign, as he addressed the closing ceremony of Cyber Security Awareness Week 2026, organised by the PTA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
What happened?
Speaking at the concluding session of the closing ceremony, the PTA chairman highlighted the importance of a secure and reliable digital ecosystem for Pakistan’s digital development. He underscored the PTA’s initiatives to counter cyber threats, digital fraud and misinformation, along with its focus on public awareness and cooperation between institutions. He stressed that cybersecurity awareness should reach every corner of the country and that citizens need to understand the vulnerabilities that come with digital connectivity.
Key details
- Almost 100 million Pakistanis use social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and TikTok, according to the PTA chairman.
- More than 1,500 million videos are viewed on TikTok in Pakistan every day.
- The PTA chairman said cyberattacks are no longer occasional incidents but a continuous threat, and that cybersecurity is an integral part of the country’s overall security ecosystem.
- He pointed to government initiatives in areas such as 5G and artificial intelligence to keep pace with developed nations.
- He said secure digital systems are essential for transparent and efficient digital governance and economic activity, including the vision of a cashless economy and digital society.
- He thanked the PTA team, telecom operators and industry partners for their efforts to strengthen the security of the telecom sector.
What it means for people in Pakistan
With nearly 100 million Pakistanis on social media and phones woven into daily life, staying safe online is no longer optional. The PTA’s message is a practical one: be cautious about suspicious calls, messages and videos, and do not share unverified information. Stronger public awareness, alongside the regulator’s work with telecom operators, is meant to give people confidence that the digital services they rely on every day are secure.
Source: https://leadpakistan.com.pk/news/pta-chairman-highlights-importance-of-reliable-digital-ecosystem/
