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April 5, 2025 - Comments Off on New director generals for FIA and cybercrime agency announced

New director generals for FIA and cybercrime agency announced

The federal government has announced the appointments of new chiefs for two major law enforcement agencies. Riffat Mukhtar, a grade-21 officer and current Inspector General of the National Highways and Motorway Police, has been appointed as Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Known for his extensive experience, Mukhtar has previously held top roles including IG Sindh and additional secretary in the Interior Ministry. His appointment under the FIA Act, 1974 is expected to strengthen the agency’s response to crimes like terrorism, corruption, and human trafficking.

 

Waqaruddin Syed, a grade-20 officer currently serving within the FIA, has been appointed as the first Director General of the newly established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). His appointment, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (amended 2025), signals the government’s intent to bolster Pakistan’s cybercrime infrastructure. The NCCIA operates under the Interior Division and will focus on tackling the country’s growing digital threats. Both appointments are effective immediately.

March 12, 2025 - Comments Off on Government Cracks Down on illegal SIMs, and telecoms in Gilgit

Government Cracks Down on illegal SIMs, and telecoms in Gilgit

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) seized devices and SIMs that were being used for “unregistered telecommunication operations”, including “illegal internet devices”, with many in custody as per the investigation. The PTA and the FIA launched the raid, claiming that such unsanctioned and unauthorised digital activities could, in theory, be a threat to national security and cybersecurity, in the hands of bad actors.

January 27, 2025 - Comments Off on NTISB warns users to avoid 16 malicious VPN and AI browser extensions

NTISB warns users to avoid 16 malicious VPN and AI browser extensions

The National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NITSB) highlighted 16 potentially malicious browser extensions for users to avoid.

According to the NITSB, the extensions identified, which include VPN and AI extensions, contain potential threats of hacking and data breaches. The list of extensions identified includes AI Assistant — ChatGPT and Gemini for Chrome, Bard AI Chat Extension, GPT 4 Sum­mary with OpenAI, Search CoPilot AI Assistant for Chrome, Wayin AI, VPNCity, Internxt VPN, Vidniz Flex Video Rec­order, VidHelper Video Downloader, Bookmark Favicon Changer, UVoice, Reader Mode, Parrot Talks, Primus, Trackker — Online Keylogger Tool, AI Shop Buddy, and Rewards Search Automation.

These extensions were among the targets of a large-scale data and credential theft attack by hackers last month. The advisory by NITSB urged users to avoid these extensions, only use trusted and extensively-reviewed extensions, and to read permissions carefully before granting them.

The use of VPNs has skyrocketed in Pakistan since the X ban last February, which is a reason for the surge in demand for VPN browser extensions as well.

January 21, 2025 - Comments Off on Interior Ministry to oversee PECA

Interior Ministry to oversee PECA

The Government of Pakistan has amended the Rules of Business 1973 to shift responsibilities regarding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) from the Ministry of Information Technology & Information (MOITT) to the Ministry of the Interior, during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. In the context of governance in Pakistan, “Rules of Business” refers to the rules by which all “business” or “all work done by the Federal Government” is to be undertaken, as per relevant ministries. The government has not as yet updated the “Rules of Business 1973” on its websites as yet, so the version embedded above is the most up to date as of January 22, 2025.

 

News reports have not thus far discussed what this shift in ministerial oversight for PECA might mean in regards to the rights of freedom of expression and to privacy, especially in the light of proposed amendments to the PECA that seek to provide legal grounds for banning VPNs and other means of accessing social media.