ISLAMABAD – In a major move to strengthen digital security, Pakistan has officially launched a dedicated Cybercrime Helpline, giving citizens a direct line to report online threats and malicious activity. The helpline, operated by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA), was inaugurated on Tuesday by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

This launch marks a critical step in the country’s cybersecurity roadmap, especially as online crimes, scams, and AI-driven threats continue to rise.

During his visit to NCCIA headquarters in Islamabad, Naqvi not only cut the ribbon on the NCCIA Helpline Centre, but also revived the National Cyber Scouts Programme—an educational initiative to train and empower students in digital literacy and cyber protection.

Citizens can file complaints by dialing 1799.

The minister toured key NCCIA departments including the Forensic Lab, Helpline Unit, and Network Security Division, praising the team’s dedication and professionalism. He emphasized the need for quick response times, cutting-edge tools, and public involvement in safeguarding Pakistan’s digital frontiers.

Highlights of the Visit:

• Launch of 24/7 NCCIA Cybercrime Helpline

• Revival of Cyber Scouts Programme for nationwide cybersecurity education

• Greenlight for modernizing NCCIA infrastructure and staffing

• Unveiling of NCCIA’s new official logo and flag to symbolize its rebranding

Naqvi stressed that with the rise of AI-powered threats, the nation needs a future-ready cybercrime force. He also called for fast-track recruitment, more technical capacity, and continuous innovation to counter evolving cyber risks.

DG NCCIA Waqaruddin Syed briefed the minister on active operations and long-term strategy. Also present were Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Secretary Interior Khurram Agha, and senior officials.

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In a major escalation of cyber warfare following Operation Sindoor, Pakistani hackers reportedly attempted to breach over 1.5 million Indian websites. According to Indian authorities, these attacks came in response to the recent terror incident in Pahalgam.

The report, published by India’s Maharashtra Cyber unit, claims that seven Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups were involved in the cyber onslaught, targeting critical infrastructure and government systems.

Despite the scale of the operation, the report notes a minimal success rate—only 150 of the 1.5 million attempted attacks were successful, translating to a success rate of just 0.01%. This suggests that while the intent and coordination were significant, the actual impact was limited.

The APT groups identified in the report include:

• APT 36

• Pakistan Cyber Force

• Team Insane PK

• Mysterious Bangladesh

• Indo Hacks Sec

• Cyber Group HOAX 1337

• National Cyber Crew

The cyber threats were not limited to Pakistan alone. According to Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police at Maharashtra Cyber, several attack origins were traced back to Bangladesh, Indonesia, and parts of the Middle East as well.

Interestingly, the digital offensive reportedly continued even after Pakistan and India reached a ceasefire understanding, with Indian government portals experiencing repeated disruptions in the days that followed.

The incident highlights the rising role of cyber warfare in regional conflicts and the need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks across South Asia.

Yadav stated that while cyberattacks on Indian government websites declined following the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, they did not come to a complete halt. Malicious activity continues to originate from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and several countries in the Middle East.

The investigation revealed that the hackers employed a range of techniques, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and GPS spoofing, to disrupt and deface Indian websites. However, most of these attempts were unsuccessful, and India’s critical infrastructure remained largely unaffected.

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The National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) has issued a crucial cybersecurity advisory, highlighting a growing threat to internet users in Pakistan. Hackers are reportedly exploiting popular browser extensions, such as ChatGPT-4, Gemini for Chrome, and several others, to steal sensitive personal information. This advisory underlines the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and the urgent need for vigilance in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.

The Threat Landscape

The NTISB identified 16 browser extensions that are being misused to compromise users’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII). These include AI tools, VPN services, video downloaders, and even extensions designed for minor utilities like bookmark management. Among the flagged extensions are:

• AI tools: ChatGPT-4, Bard AI, Wayin AI, and Gemini for Chrome.
• VPN services: VPNCity, Internet VPN.
• Utility tools: VidHelper Video Downloader, Bookmark Favicon Changer, and Trackker (an online keylogger).

Hackers are employing sophisticated phishing techniques to compromise legitimate publishers of these extensions. By injecting malicious code, they exploit these tools to gain unauthorized access to users’ data. This is particularly concerning for users relying on AI-based tools and virtual private networks (VPNs), as these are commonly perceived as secure options.

Why Is This Important?

The advisory is not just a routine warning but a wake-up call for Pakistani internet users, businesses, and policymakers. Here’s why:

1. Rising Cybersecurity Threats: Pakistan is experiencing rapid digital transformation, but this growth comes with vulnerabilities. Hackers targeting popular tools demonstrate a clear intent to exploit the country’s growing digital reliance.
2. Data Privacy Risks: PII is invaluable in the hands of cybercriminals. Compromising this data can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized surveillance.
3. Trust in Technology: Extensions like ChatGPT and VPNs are trusted by users to enhance productivity and security. Attacks on these tools undermine user confidence in digital services.
4. National Security Implications: Cyberattacks targeting a large population could have broader implications for national security, especially if sensitive government or organizational data is exposed.

What Can Be Done?

The NTISB has provided actionable recommendations to safeguard against these risks:

• Avoid flagged extensions: Users should refrain from using the compromised extensions and seek alternatives from trusted developers.
• Review permissions and updates: Before installing an extension, users must scrutinize its permissions and reviews. Limiting unnecessary permissions can mitigate risks.
• Monitor activity: Keeping an eye on abnormal data usage or system behavior can help detect malicious activity early.
• Use licensed antivirus software: A robust cybersecurity solution can act as a critical line of defense.
• Be cautious of free tools: Free extensions often come with hidden costs, including vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

Broader Implications

This advisory underscores the urgent need for Pakistan to invest in cybersecurity awareness and infrastructure. The reliance on digital tools for personal, educational, and professional use is only growing, and so are the risks. Strengthening regulations for extension developers, promoting digital literacy, and fostering partnerships with global cyber security entities could help mitigate such threats in the future.

By addressing these challenges, Pakistan can ensure that its digital transformation is both inclusive and secure, protecting its citizens and businesses from the ever-evolving tactics of cybercriminals.

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President Arif Alvi emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity on Thursday. In a speech at the graduation ceremony of the National Defense University (NDU), the President said that in the past, hundreds of thousands of innocent people had forged reports on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq.

The president said: “In fact, the hostility between countries in the past was based on fake news.”He said that Islam strongly opposes the spread of false and unconfirmed news because it causes panic, chaos, and destruction in society.

The President said: “The world uses fake news as a tool to wage war against other countries.” He said that for Pakistan, the shortcut to success is contemporary intellectual change. Gain strength in the “knowledge revolution” and become a powerful country.

He said that the exponential transformation of the cyber world has witnessed the changes in strategy-involving military and public domains, which requires the country to be willing to keep abreast of the situation and take serious measures to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity.

The president emphasized the importance of information technology Pakistan needs to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution, which will greatly help the country’s socio-economic development.

“I am very optimistic about Pakistan, which has the ability to demonstrate its strength through advanced learning and decision-making based on compassion and morality,” he said.

Military officers from Pakistan and other friendly countries such as Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the course.

President Alvi stated that the Pakistani people are willing to turn the tide in difficult times. He recalled that in 1974, in response to India’s “so-called peaceful” nuclear explosion, Pakistan relied on firm determination and determination to join the list of nuclear countries with a deterrent effect in a short period of time.

“This shows that the Pakistani nation can perform miracles by pursuing its goals with a clear intention,” he added. The President expressed his belief that with the help of contemporary knowledge, Pakistan will rise in the international community.

Regarding India’s illegal uranium trade, the President expressed regret that India had not taken any action. Although real reports show the world’s “preferential and prejudiced treatment” to different countries, it still adopts international standards until now.

NDU Principal Lieutenant General Mohammad Saeed emphasized that NDU has proven to be a major learning place by promoting critical thinking and inquiry-based knowledge among course participants. Previously, the President had awarded degrees to graduates of the National Defense University.

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