Gang selling sensitive data of Pakistani officials abroad arrested: NCCIA

A gang allegedly involved in selling sensitive data of senior Pakistani government officials and prominent figures of state institutions in Pakistan and abroad has been arrested, according to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

According to NCCIA officials, a gang was recently arrested in Rawalpindi for allegedly selling the data of senior officers and bureaucrats to buyers in exchange for money.

The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications was briefed on the alleged sale of sensitive government officials’ data abroad, inappropriate and allegedly blasphemous content on social media, an alleged Rs172 billion fraud carried out through call centres, and financial fraud involving fake SIM cards.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, discussed the agenda on the alleged sale of Pakistani officials' sensitive data abroad.

An additional director of the NCCIA told the committee that a gang had recently been arrested in Rawalpindi for allegedly selling the data of senior officials abroad for money. He said another group involved in selling sensitive data belonging to bureaucrats and officials of key institutions had also been apprehended.

During the meeting, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan said authorities had received evidence concerning blasphemous content and alleged that highly inappropriate and dangerous activities were taking place on TikTok Live. He said content allegedly involving blasphemy was being produced during TikTok Live sessions.

The NCCIA additional director said the agency had been making written requests to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding such content.

PTA Chairman said TikTok Live was officially banned in Pakistan, but authorities could not prevent its use when people accessed the service through virtual private networks (VPNs).

Senator Kamran Murtaza said that such content was being deliberately spread in society.

The PTA chairman further informed the committee that some countries had imposed restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 16.

He said the PTA had held a meeting with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry regarding setting an age limit for children’s social media use. He added that Pakistan receives around 500 social-media-related complaints every day.

Committee members called for stricter measures concerning internet access and social media use by children under 16.

The committee also recommended the development of a dedicated messaging “super app” for government officials and directed the PTA to begin work on the proposed application.