KARACHI: Following a spate of cyberattacks on Pakistan’s banks, several account holders said on Thursday that they were forced to take precautionary measures to secure their savings.
“I have closed my online account because of the ongoing cyber-attacks. The banks are not sharing details of what is happening, so I’ve decided to close the accounts having experienced the trouble of dealing with banks,” Abdul Samad Memon, a 35-year-old businessman, told Arab News.
Samad is not the only account holder to opt out. Dozens of individuals have either voluntarily closed their accounts or requested their banks to block access as a precautionary measure. “I have asked my bank to close my online account and now I will withdraw cash through checks to be on the safer side,” Muhammad Salahuddin, a retired government employee said.
Authorities from several banks also said that they had notified their customers about the move. Muhammad Rehan, a school teacher, said he had received the notification from his bank and did not have an issue with the standard operating procedure as it is a “good step under the current circumstances”.
In the news recently, major financial institutions reported losing billions of rupees through fraudulent activities. Prime among these were transactions involving identify theft, whereby hackers would create fake accounts using the details of another person, mostly from an underprivileged background. Case in point was an incident reported by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) whereby it had seized the bank account of an ice-cream vendor who had Rs2.25 billion in his savings account.
“The hacking incidents show that nothing is reliable. Even though withdrawing cash by using fake checks has been the practice in the past, I still believe it is safer as compared to online banking,” Baber Sharif, a shopkeeper, said.
Adding insult to injury was the case of Pakistan’s BankIslami which reported that its security system had been breached on October 27, resulting in major losses for the company.
The extent of the online hacking came to light on Monday, when FIA’s cyber-crime chief, Captain (retd) Mohammad Shoaib said that customers’ data from almost all major Pakistani banks had been stolen in a recent security breach.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), however, rejected the FIA’s findings, clarifying that the data of only one bank had been compromised. “SBP categorically rejects such reports. There is no evidence to this effect nor has this information been provided to the SBP by any bank or law enforcement agency,” the central bank said in a statement.
However, officials from the Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PakCERT), a cybersecurity services provider, reported that on October 26, a data dump was posted on the Internet highlighting the details of more than 9,000 debit cards, out of which 8,864 belonged to customers of Pakistani banks.
“The [security details of the] compromised cards were sold at a price ranging from between $100 and $160. The second dump was posted on October 31 with over 12,000 cards on darknet comprising 11,000 cards from Pakistani banks,” the report added.
According to the PakCERT, security details of a total of 19,864 cards from 22 Pakistani banks were compromised.
Experts believe that the breach was not the act of any one individual but rather a group of individuals as the fraud was carried out in a sophisticated and organized manner. “The pattern of infiltration clearly shows that there was more than one entity involved,” S M Arif, a financial expert and banking technologist, told Arab News.
“We have to evaluate whether only the data which was available in the dark web was compromised or other data was used as well,” Arif said, adding that in circumstances where the data from one country is used for withdrawal purposes in another country while a third individual is the beneficiary “could only be done by those who have access to the data”. “The withdrawals have taken place through a financial system which means it is the failure of multiple entities on multiple points,” he said.
A B Shahid, a senior banker, told Arab News that the recent incidents of cyber-fraud have exposed the loopholes in the financial system and shaken the confidence of customers. “The customers believed that the banking systems was most reliable and secure for their savings but their confidence has been shaken to a large extent,” he said.
Holding the SBP and the management of various banks responsible for the infiltration and hacking, Shahid said that the financial bodies could have taken a cue from Wikileaks which had “exposed the system’s weaknesses”.
“Wikileaks clearly demonstrated that data can be downloaded and used for various reasons. In the race to promote electronic banking in Pakistan, neither the regulator nor the banks’ management took steps to install an anti-hacking system which is clearly evident from the recent incidents,” he said.
Users log off permanently to avoid cyber fraud
Users log off permanently to avoid cyber fraud
- Security of nearly 20,000 bank accounts compromised in recent heists
- Experts blame regulator and financial bodies for failure to prevent online attacks
PIA to launch first direct Lahore-Baku flight on Sunday amid push for regional connectivity
- The announcement was made at a roadshow organized in Lahore ahead of the launch
- The new route is expected to boost tourism, business travel between the two countries
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will begin weekly direct flights from Lahore to Baku on Sunday, the national carrier said, marking its latest step to expand travel links amid Islamabad’s push for deeper connectivity with Central Asian states.
The move comes as Pakistan strengthens diplomatic and trade ties with Azerbaijan, a key partner in its broader regional outreach. The new route is expected to boost tourism, business travel and cultural exchange between the two countries.
“PIA will start weekly flights from Lahore to Baku from Sunday, April 20,” the airline said in a statement on Saturday. “The first flight to Baku will depart tomorrow morning, carrying 174 passengers.”
The announcement was made at a roadshow organized in Lahore ahead of the launch, attended by travel agents, tour operators and tourism industry stakeholders.
PIA officials briefed participants on the airline’s expansion plans and encouraged greater collaboration to promote regional travel and tourism.
“Baku is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, known for its beautiful cityscape, culinary scene and rich religious and cultural heritage,” the official PIA statement continued, adding that Lahore would see more international destinations added in the near future.
The new flight service is seen as part of Pakistan’s ongoing quest to improve air connectivity with countries in Central Asia, where it has been seeking to expand trade and diplomatic engagement in recent years.
Pakistan deputy PM announces understanding with Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy
- Ishaq Dar says Pakistan is trying to ensure the return of Afghan nationals ‘with dignity and respect’
- He also announces steps to facilitate Afghan transit trade, demands exchange of trade delegations
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday announced a joint understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan not to allow their soil to be used against each other while addressing a news conference toward the end of his day-long visit to Kabul.
Dar’s visit to the neighboring country came amid surging militancy in Pakistan, which Islamabad blames on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant factions. Pakistan has frequently accused the Afghan Taliban in the past of providing these armed groups sanctuaries and facilitating their cross-border attacks, allegations that Kabul has repeatedly denied.
The deputy prime minister’s visit to Kabul also took place at a time when Pakistan has intensified its campaign to deport “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it blames for being involved in suicide attacks and militancy in the country.
The deportation drive has further soured ties between the two nations, prompting the Afghan authorities to express “deep concern” their forced repatriation during Dar’s trip to Kabul.
“We have requested our hosts that we must work together for the development of this region, for its betterment and for establishing peace and stability here,” the deputy prime minister said while addressing the news conference. “For that, we will not allow our land or our soil to be used by anyone for any wrongful activity inside Afghanistan, and we kindly request you to do the same.”
“Both countries must strictly deal with such elements,” he continued. “Neither side should allow its territory to be used for any activity against the other, whether it concerns security or terrorism.”
Dar added in case of any militant violence, both countries “will be responsible to take firm action against such elements within our respective countries and stop them.”
The deputy prime minister also announced a number of measures aimed at facilitating Afghan transit trade, saying they would be implemented by June 30. “Exchange of trade delegations between the two countries is also vital at this stage to increase bilateral trade and ensure mutual prosperity,” he said.
Addressing Afghan concerns over the deportation, he noted Pakistan was trying to ensure that those being sent back were treated with “respect and dignity.”
He said the interior ministry would issue a notification within 48 hours providing phone numbers, WhatsApp contacts and an email address to register any complaints from Afghan nationals returning to their country.
Denying any instructions to block the sale of property by Afghans, he said that those returning to Afghanistan were also allowed to take their personal belongings back with them.
Earlier in the day, before departing for Kabul, Dar acknowledged recent “coldness” in bilateral ties but said security remained a priority.
“I believe the security of Pakistan, its people, their lives and properties, is very important,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. “So one of our concerns is regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
During the visit, he met with senior Afghan officials, including acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the discussions focused on security, trade, transit and regional connectivity, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high-level engagement and enhancing people-to-people contact.
Pakistan deputy PM meets Afghan premier in Kabul to discuss militancy, trade cooperation
- Ishaq Dar acknowledges ‘coldness’ in ties before Kabul visit, says ‘terrorism’ will be discussed
- Afghan foreign ministry also expresses concern over Pakistan’s deportation drive in a statement
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday met Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund during a day-long visit to Kabul, where the two sides discussed militancy, regional security, trade and efforts to boost bilateral cooperation.
His visit takes place amid surging militancy in Pakistan, which Islamabad blames on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant outfit. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing them sanctuaries, allegations that Kabul has repeatedly denied.
Dar’s visit to Kabul also takes place as Pakistan intensifies its campaign to deport “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it has blamed without evidence for being involved in suicide attacks and militancy in the country.
Pakistan’s deportation drive has further soured ties between the two nations.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar ... called on the acting Afghan Prime Minister, Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a brief statement.
“Both sides exchanged views on key issues of mutual interest, including security, trade and transit cooperation, and explored ways to enhance people-to-people contacts,” it added.
The foreign office informed the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and agreed to maintain high-level exchanges to further strengthen relations between the two “brotherly countries.”
Dar arrived in Kabul earlier on Saturday to hold talks with Afghan leaders amid increasingly tense ties between the neighbors.
Before departing for Kabul, Dar acknowledged recent “coldness” in ties between the two nations but said security remained a priority.
“I believe the security of Pakistan, its people, their lives and properties, is very important,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. “So one of our concerns is regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
Dar said Pakistan saw immense potential for trade and investment with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of regional connectivity.
“Our connection with Central Asian states can be established through rail links but that’s not possible unless Afghanistan becomes a partner in this,” he added.
Dar also met Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi upon his arrival in Kabul to discuss security, border management and economic cooperation.
“Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relations and agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level engagement,” the foreign office said after that meeting.
Dar’s trip is seen as part of Islamabad’s efforts to re-engage with the Afghan Taliban government despite ongoing tensions and to address its concerns over a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan.
A statement issued by the Afghan government said the Taliban foreign minister voiced “deep concern” over Pakistan’s deportation drive, urging Islamabad to “prevent the suppression of the rights of Afghans.”
Pakistan’s finance minister departs for US to attend World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings
- World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2025 will be held from Apr. 21-26 in Washington D.C.
- Aurangzeb to address investment forums, meet counterparts from other countries
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb left for the United States on Saturday to attend the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings 2025, the finance ministry said.
Leading finance ministers and officials of the World Bank and the IMF will gather in Washington D.C. to attend the spring meetings from Apr. 21-26.
Aurangzeb will meet with top officials of the World Bank and IMF, and interact with the finance ministers from China, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the finance ministry said.
“The Finance Minister will clarify the country’s economic scenario while addressing investment forums and seminars during the visit,” the statement said.
Aurangzeb will meet officials of the US State and Treasury Departments as well as those from global credit rating agencies, commercial and investment banks.
“During the visit, the Finance Minister will attend the 13th Ministerial Meeting of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action,” the ministry said.
Aurangzeb will address a roundtable discussion with institutional investors organized by Jefferies International, titled: ‘Pakistan’s Economic Outlook, Recent Fiscal and Monetary Developments and Progress on Reforms and Engagement with the IMF.’
The finance minister will also address a session organized by the Center for Global Development (CGD) on ongoing reforms in Pakistan and future challenges that the country faces.
Aurangzeb will meet Garji Ghosh, the president of the Global Policy and Advocacy Division, Gates Foundation and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
“Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will visit leading think tanks in the US,” the ministry said, adding that he will also meet international and US media representatives.
Aurangzeb’s visit takes place as Pakistan tries to recover from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis via financial reforms mandated by the IMF.
The IMF staff reached a deal with Pakistan for a new $1.3 billion arrangement last month and also agreed on the first review of the ongoing 37-month bailout program. Pending board approval, Pakistan can unlock the $1.3 billion under a new climate resilience loan program spanning 28 months.
The IMF will also release $1 billion for Pakistan under its $7 billion bailout program, which would bring those disbursements to $2 billion.
Pakistan vows no leniency toward perpetrators of KFC mob attacks
- One person was killed in around 20 attacks targeting KFC outlets this month, says Pakistan’s minister of state for interior
- Charged mobs fueled by anti-US and anti-Israel sentiments attacked KFC outlets in various parts of the country this week
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry vowed on Saturday that the government will not show any leniency toward those involved in attacks targeting international food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken’s (KFC) outlets in various parts of the country, vowing to ensure protection for foreign investment.
The minister’s remarks came after charged mobs attacked and vandalized KFC outlets in various parts of the country this week, angered by growing anti-United States sentiment in Pakistan and in opposition to Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.
In videos shared widely on the Internet, men carrying sticks can be seen hurling abuses at customers and staff at various KFC outlets, forcing them to leave the eatery while they vandalize the outlets’ property.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Chaudry said around 20 such incidents across the country have taken place this month in which one KFC employee lost his life. He said 12 complaints have been registered for such incidents in Punjab, where 142 people have been arrested for their involvement in the attacks. In Islamabad, he said 15 people were arrested for their involvement in attacks on KFC outlets.
“It cannot happen that someone brings investment into Pakistan, gives its people employment, pays 100 percent tax, and also spends on welfare, education and health activities, and then someone attacks it,” Chaudry said.
“We will not let this happen. I am just not issuing a warning but practically it is being implemented in all four provinces. They are not being shown leniency anywhere and neither will we show them leniency,” he added.
The minister said those arrested for attacking KFC outlets across the country were ashamed of their actions. He said Pakistan’s religious and political parties had distanced themselves from these incidents.
Chaudry said since Friday, no attacks have been reported on any KFC outlets across the country after the prime minister took notice of the incident.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestine, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had raised his voice for the people of Gaza repeatedly.
However, he said the government would ensure protection for foreign investment in the country whether it be in the mines and minerals sector or international food chains.
The minister said such attacks would be “unacceptable,” adding that Pakistan’s government and interior ministry were available 24 hours to respond to such incidents.
“Any such attack will be unacceptable and it will be treated similar to when a terrorist attacks an unarmed man,” Chaudry said.
Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries in recent months over Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The war was triggered by the Palestinian group Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Palestinian health authorities.
