Data Security, Privacy and Cyber Policy of Pakistan: A Closer Look

Living in an immersive, agile and a fully connected digital world where the scope, nature and ways of communication, connectivity, operations, business, finance, supply-chain, etc. have all changed and exposed the digital infrastructures and economies to a wider cyber threat landscape. Pakistan, being a developing nation, holds an impressive ranking at the global innovation index 2023, however with these advancements there have been increased security issues and cyber crimes affecting the unprivileged population of the Country. As per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 16, a strong emphasis to reduce inequalities and maintain peace, justice and strong institutions has been given. Unresolving problems affecting the under privileged may contribute to increased hate crime, bias, inequalities, conflicts and prejudice. This paper sheds light on the pressing issues related to lack of data and information security controls enabling misuse of personal identifiable information (i.e., name, health data, geotags, etc.) affecting the unprivileged population. Harvesting personal data is valuable to cyber criminals as it allows them to impersonate and incriminate others for the crimes they carried out. As reported in the print media, such cybercrimes have been on rise in Pakistan and thus this addresses an urgency to revise the national cybersecurity policy as per global cybersecurity norms.