Islamabad – A serious security failure has resulted in the exposure of the personal information of thousands of Pakistanis, including high-profile federal ministers and senior government officials, with the sensitive data currently being sold on a black market online.
The breached records are vast and very personalized, such as addresses of mobile SIM owners, call history, copies of national identity cards (NICs), and the records of international travel.
The magnitude of the breach is threatening, with its impact on people at every level of government and society. Even federal cabinet members and spokespersons of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) are also in the list of people whose data has been leaked.
Data for Sale at Alarmingly Low Prices
Dozens of websites are participating in this illicit trade, offering sensitive data at prices that are accessible to a broad range of malicious actors.
The cheap pricing of the information is especially alarming; mobile location data is being offered as cheap as Rs500, detailed mobile records at Rs2,000, and international travel information at a mere Rs5,000.
Investigation Launched
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi responded to the shocking news and immediately took notice of the matter and ordered the NCCIA to initiate a comprehensive and extensive investigation into the case.
A 14-member task force has been formed to make sure that there is a quick and efficient reaction, and that includes cybercrime experts and investigators. The panel has been allocated a strict deadline of two weeks to expose those who are responsible for the breach and take legal action against them.
Implications for National Security and Personal Privacy
The privacy breach has serious consequences for national security and the individual privacy of citizens.
The revelation of sensitive information of federal ministers and other senior officials poses a vivid and threatening risk of blackmail, security measures, and other specific attacks by foreign intelligence services or other ill-minded groups.
Pakistan has a premier law enforcement agency to combat cybercrimes, the NCCIA, which was formally formed and came into operation in April 2025 to replace the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
It is mandated to enforce the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which has recently been changed by adding an amendment of 2025 to keep the law up to date with the quickly changing digital environment. This probe will be an important challenge to the agency, as well as its ability and willingness to protect the digital future of the country.
