Combating the Cyber Crimes in Pakistan

Cyber Security Awareness is Must

nasiraijaz May 12, 2025

0 33 4 minutes read

As the digital transformation of Pakistan continues, cyber security should be made a national priority

Hammad Zameer

In this digital age, the use of internet has become a daily necessity for millions of Pakistanis. Either it be for online banking, online shopping, education, and remote work or for entertainment internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, with the increase in internet usage the threats in cyberspace have increased too. Cyber security is a crucial issue but its awareness in Pakistan is quite low. It’s due to this lack of awareness that many of our individuals, businesses and institutions become victim to several cybercrimes such as phishing, identity theft, data breeches, financial fraud and ransomware attacks.

THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE OF PAKISTAN

In terms of digital growth, Pakistan ranks among the top countries in South Asia with up to 130 million internet users as of 2024. The introduction of 3G and 4G technologies, widespread smartphone usage and increasing digital literacy millions of people have come online. Mobile banking, online education, e-commerce platforms and government digital services have changed the way people in Pakistan interact with the world. However, the growth in cyber security infrastructure is less to none. Many users are even unaware about basic security practices due to which cybercrime is increasing day by day. According to the reports by Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) the cases of cybercrime has increased dramatically in the recent years with a large number of cases left unreported.

COMMON CYBER THREATS IN PAKISTAN

The common cyber threats faced by internet users in Pakistan include:

PHISHING: Fake emails or messages that trick users in to sharing sensitive information such as passwords or bank details. They make the email appear to be from a legitimate institution such as from a bank or government agency.
HACKING: Accounts are hacked on social media to harass individuals, demand ransom or to spread misinformation.
DATA THEFT: Personal data is stolen from platforms with poor security and impersonate victims for illegal purposes. Without the users consent their pictures and names are used for illegal activities.
FINANCIAL FRAUD: Fake online stores and investment scams are more common in rural areas or in areas where the people are not much educated about digital frauds.
RANSOMWARE: Although it is more common for institutions and organizations, individuals have also been victim to malware that locks their files and demand ransom to unlock them.

These threats highlight the urgent need for awareness of cyber security and measures to prevent these threats.

LOW AWARENESS

A significant number of people in Pakistan are unaware about the basics of cyber security. Many people use common and weak passwords such as “12345” which are very easy to guess and put their data at risk. Many use the same passwords for multiple accounts this increases the risk of other accounts being compromised if one is hacked. The common mistakes most of the users do are, click on suspicious links, download pirated content, and use unsecured public Wi-Fi without realizing that they themselves are putting their privacy at risk. Most of the users assume that “it won’t happen to me” not knowing that cyber criminals often target ordinary users with less security measures rather than tech-savvy institutions or organizations.

CYBERCRIME LAWS

The government of Pakistan introduced the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in 2016. To address digital crimes and provide a legal framework for prosecution. The Cyber Crime Wing of the FIA is responsible for investigating complaints. However, the law implementation has been uneven many victims are unaware about their digital rights and about how to register their complaints. If a complaint is registered the investigation is very slow due to lack of resources. There is also the issue that the judiciary lacks the capacity to handle cyber related cases which in turn decreases the public trust in the system.

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION

Cyber security awareness starts with education. There is very limited coverage of cyber security topics in the curriculum of school and colleges in Pakistan. Even students in universities are unaware about how to protect their digital identity and how to recognize these common threats. This gap can be bridged through public awareness campaigns. Government agencies, educational institutions and public organizations should work together to launch nationwide awareness programs. Workshops in schools, universities and workplaces can provide users with practical skills to identify and respond to cyber threats. Special focus should be on more likely targets like women, children an elderly internet user as they are more prone to manipulation and harassment.

WOMEN AND CYBER SECURITY

In Pakistan, a large number of cybercrime victims are women. They face online harassment, blackmail and image-based abuse. Many women due to the fear of being targeted limit their internet use and social media presence due to which they might face lack of opportunities and unable to access information. It is essential to create a safe digital space for women by promoting digital rights and encouraging more women to register complaints without shame and fear. Confidential helplines and female cybercrime officers can make a huge difference.

THE WAY FORWARD:

Enhancing cyber security awareness in Pakistan can be done through:

POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION: a well-defined cyber security policy and its implementation strategies is essential. It should address protection, prevention and response mechanism.
DIGITAL LITERACY: Cyber security should be made a core part of digital literacy programs in school and colleges.
REPORTING MECHANISM: Reporting cybercrime should be simple and accessible, mobile apps, helpline and portals should be widely advertised.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: Tech companies, telecom providers and NGOs can work together to raise awareness and provide free and subsidized security tools.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Investment in local cyber security research and startups can help develop innovative solutions.

CONCLUSION:

As the digital transformation of Pakistan continues, cyber security should be made a national priority. Without proper awareness, internet users remain vulnerable to digital threats which can cause emotional, financial and reputational damage. Creating a cyber-safe Pakistan is not just the responsibility of the government but it’s the shared responsibility of all internet users. By fostering awareness, promoting laws and making a secure digital ecosystem, Pakistan can ensure that its internet users particularly the young and vulnerable can enjoy the benefits of the internet without falling prey to its dangers.