The federal government of Pakistan has decided to establish a Cybersecurity Authority at the national level, officials said on Monday, aiming to strengthen protection for the country’s critical infrastructure and coordinate cybersecurity measures nationwide.
According to sources, the proposed authority will play a central role in implementing cybersecurity protocols across government and public sectors. It will also recommend measures to safeguard important national infrastructure from cyber threats.
The Ministry of IT has circulated the initial draft of the Cybersecurity Act among stakeholders for consultation. The government is also proposing amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to support the new framework.
Key proposals include the creation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority, which will be empowered to regulate online content, curb the spread of fake news, and establish a specialized investigative agency to tackle cybercrime.
Experts see this move as part of the state’s effort to curb cyber attacks on institutions and increase monitoring of online platforms. Reports indicate that over 5.3 million cyber attacks were recorded in Pakistan during the first three quarters of 2025 alone.
The government has emphasized that the new authority will coordinate with existing law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity nationwide.
