ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a nationwide cybersecurity audit of around 300 government websites after authorities detected a large-scale hacking attempt targeting official online platforms and digital infrastructure.
The review is being conducted by the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT), which has started scanning government portals to identify security vulnerabilities and strengthen digital protection systems across state institutions.
Officials said the audit includes websites operated by federal ministries, government departments, and public sector organisations. The initiative aims to detect weaknesses in web applications, servers, and backend systems before hackers exploit them.
According to officials familiar with the process, cybersecurity scanning has already been completed for around 280 government websites, while about 20 platforms remain under review, bringing the overall audit completion rate to roughly 93 percent.
Preliminary findings revealed several security gaps ranging from critical and high-risk vulnerabilities to medium-level flaws. If left unresolved, these weaknesses could allow unauthorized access or data breaches in sensitive government systems.
Authorities have issued instructions to government departments to immediately address these risks by updating outdated software, strengthening authentication systems and deploying web application firewalls to prevent cyber intrusions.
The cybersecurity review follows a series of cyberattack attempts targeting Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, including government platforms and media networks. Investigators have been examining the origin and technical nature of the attacks to prevent future breaches.
Pakistan established the National Cyber Emergency Response Team in 2024 to coordinate responses to cyber incidents and strengthen the country’s overall digital security framework.
Officials say the new audit will help authorities create a stronger defensive system against hacking attempts, data theft, and website defacement.
In parallel with the audit, Pakistan has activated a national cyber monitoring system that keeps real-time watch over more than 1,500 government and critical sector websites, enabling authorities to detect threats such as malicious code injections and data leaks instantly.
Technology experts say the move marks a major step toward strengthening Pakistan’s cyber defense infrastructure as government services increasingly shift to digital platforms.
Officials added that the cybersecurity audit will continue in phases and may expand to additional public sector platforms to ensure stronger protection of sensitive government data and online services.