A staggering leak of personal data belonging to government ministers and ordinary citizens has sparked alarm in Pakistan, with sensitive information reportedly being sold online for as little as Rs. 500.
What Was Exposed
The leaked material includes SIM card registration records, scanned CNICs, call logs, international travel histories, and other private documents. Cybersecurity researchers note that some of this information isn’t hidden on the dark web—it can be found with a simple Google search.
Government Response
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has tasked the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) with conducting an urgent probe. A special 14-member unit has already been formed and must present its findings within two weeks. The team’s mandate includes not just tracing how the breach occurred but also identifying and prosecuting those involved.
PTA’s Struggle to Contain the Leak
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had previously claimed to block sites trading in stolen data. However, the continuing sale of such information suggests enforcement has failed. Reports indicate that multiple online platforms remain active, leaving citizens vulnerable to harassment, fraud, and blackmail.
Experts Warn of Systemic Failure
Cybersecurity analysts describe the situation as a collapse of digital safeguards. Beyond the risk to individual privacy, they warn that such large-scale leaks can compromise national security and erode public trust in state institutions meant to protect citizens’ information.
