19 September 2025
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, confirmed on Friday that the personal data of Pakistani citizens has been found on the dark web.
The recent confirmation by Pakistan’s top telecom authority has sparked concern after it admitted that citizens’ personal data has been compromised and is now circulating on the dark web. This revelation means that highly sensitive information belonging to ordinary people — such as national ID details, phone records, bank accounts, and addresses — is no longer secure.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, often linked with illegal markets, where leaked or stolen data is sold and misused. The fact that such valuable personal details of Pakistanis are being traded there shows the seriousness of the breach.
By officially acknowledging the leak, the authorities have moved beyond speculation, confirming that the threat is real. For millions of citizens, this raises fears of identity theft, financial fraud, and misuse of their private information, while also underlining the urgent need for stronger data protection laws in the country.
