ISLAMABAD: One of Pakistan’s most prominent payment system operators, 1LINK Limited, has dismissed reports and speculation of a major cyberattack on automated teller machines (ATMs) and online banking across Pakistan, referring to them as “fake rumors.”
A message circulated widely on WhatsApp and social media platforms in Pakistan last week said ATMs would not function for two to three days as a ransomware had targeted the machines. The message warned users against undertaking any online transactions and also urged them to advise their contacts against opening a video called “Dance of the Hillary,” saying it was a virus that formats mobiles.
In a press release on Sunday, 1LINK dismissed the widely circulated message as a “fake” one, urging people not to pay heed to it.
“The public is advised not to pay any attention to such hoaxes and to consult their banks for any guidance,” 1LINK said, adding that Pakistan’s central bank “is actively working” with banks and 1LINK to maintain the security of the country’s financial infrastructure and digital payments ecosystem.
“Thus far, no cyber threat has been observed on the ATM and online banking ecosystem in this context, and the financial service industry remains vigilant as ever before,” the statement concluded.
1LINK is a prominent Pakistani payments operator system owned by a consortium of 11 banks. It provides a host of valuable online banking services like ATM switching, bill payments, interbank funds transfer, fraud risk management, switch dispute resolution and domestic as well as international payment schemes.
‘Fake rumors’: 1LINK says no cyber threat to ATMs, online banking in Pakistan
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‘Fake rumors’: 1LINK says no cyber threat to ATMs, online banking in Pakistan
- Message circulated widely on WhatsApp, social media platforms last week said ransomware had targeted ATMs in Pakistan
- Pakistan’s central bank “actively working” with banks, 1LINK to maintain security of financial infrastructure, says 1LLINK
Pakistan mulls 'Super App' for public services, document verification in major technology push
- Pakistan has been urging technology adoption in public, private sectors as it seeks to become a key tech player globally
- The country this month launched the Indus AI Week to harness technology for productivity, skills development and innovation
KARACHI: Pakistan is planning to launch a “Super App” to deliver public services and enable digital document verification, the country's information technology (IT) minister said on Sunday, amid a major push for technology adoption in public and private sectors.
Pakistan, a country of 240 million people, seeks to become a key participant in the global tech economy, amid growing interest from governments in the Global South to harness advanced technologies for productivity, skills development and innovation.
The country's information and communications technology (ICT) exports hit a record $437 million in Dec. last year, according to IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. This constituted a 23% increase month on month and a 26% increase year on year.
Pakistan's technology sector is also advancing in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, marked by the launch of Pakistan’s first sovereign AI cloud in November, designed to keep sensitive data domestic and support growth in the broader digital ecosystem.
“In developed countries, citizens can access all government services from a mobile phone,” Fatima said, announcing plans for the Super App at an event in Karachi where more than 7,000 students had gathered for an AI training entrance test as part of the ‘Indus AI Week.’
“We will strive to provide similar facilities in the coming years.”
Khawaja said the app will reduce the need for in-person visits to government offices such as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The Indus AI Week initiative, which ran from Feb. 9 till Feb. 15. was aimed at positioning Pakistan as a key future participant in the global AI revolution, according to the IT minister.
At the opening of the weeklong initiative, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would invest $1 billion in AI by 2030 to modernize the South Asian nation’s digital economy.
“These initiatives aim to strengthen national AI infrastructure and make the best use of our human resource,” Khawaja said, urging young Pakistanis to become creators, inventors and innovators rather than just being the consumers of technology.
