ISLAMABAD: Pakistan faces serious cybersecurity challenges and should actively participate in international forums such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Information Security Conference that is held in Riyadh on September 9 and 10, a senior government functionary, who regularly deals with online security issues, told Arab News on Monday.
“The Ministry of Information Technology should keep an eye on events like these and send experts from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and the cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to them,” Abdul Rauf, additional director of FIA’s cybercrime wing, said.
He maintained that the country had no cybersecurity policy, adding that such forums could help local experts formulate one.
“Pakistan’s IT ministry has started working on cybersecurity policy that will be vetted by all stakeholders,” Rauf said. “We are lagging behind much of the world in the field of cybersecurity and a lot of work needs to be done. It is high time we started attending such knowledge-sharing conferences to benefit from international expertise in the area.”
The two-day MENA conference under the title “Cyberspace, the New Frontier: Deception, Orchestration and Black Holes” began in Riyadh on Monday. According to the organizers of the forum, the more people depend on digitally driven lifestyles the more they become vulnerable online. In this context, the event aims to discuss deception technology and how it has been changing the cybersecurity landscape.
The conference also seeks to focus on human capital and technological investments required by regional institutions to defend themselves successfully from cyberattacks. Other than that, the forum aspires to enhance connectivity and networking among senior regional cybersecurity professionals.
Experts say Pakistan should have participated in MENA cybersecurity conference
Experts say Pakistan should have participated in MENA cybersecurity conference
- Saudi Arabia is currently hosting the seventh Middle East and North Africa Information Security Conference in Riyadh
- Analysts believe Pakistan should form collaborations with friendly nations like Saudi Arabia who are investing a lot in cybersecurity
Pakistan opposition ends protests, PTI forms ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ for jailed ex-PM
- Opposition alliance ends week-long protests over Khan’s health concerns
- Party announces nationwide membership drive for “peaceful” mobilization
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance on Wednesday called off nationwide sit-ins held over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a new mobilization campaign, including the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Pakistan has faced months of political confrontation between Khan’s party and the government since his arrest in 2023, with repeated protests, court battles and accusations by PTI that authorities are attempting to sideline its leader from politics, allegations the government denies.
Tensions have intensified in recent weeks after concerns emerged about Khan’s health in prison. Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody, while a medical board said the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved. Since last week, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance has been holding a days-long sit-in at Parliament House over Khan’s health concerns.
“All sit-ins including the one at parliament have been called off,” Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, a spokesperson for the alliance, told Arab News.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told reporters the party was preparing for an organized political movement to demand their leader’s release.
“After continuous violations of court orders, an organized public struggle has now become inevitable,” Afridi said, announcing the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with membership open to youth across the country.
Afridi said the organization would include PTI’s student, youth, women, minority and professional wings and would conduct a “completely peaceful struggle,” adding that Khan himself would dissolve the body after his release.
He said membership cards would be issued within days and supporters would take oath in Peshawar after Eid, with a formal chain of command operating under leadership designated by Khan.
“This struggle is for real freedom, supremacy of the constitution and law, democracy and free media,” Afridi said.
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated by political rivals with backing from the military. Both the government and armed forces deny the allegation.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party call politically motivated.
Broadcast outlets have been restricted from airing Khan’s name and speeches or even showing his image. Only a single court photograph has been publicly available since his imprisonment.
PTI swept to power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces.
