Cyber security: Panelists push for improved legislation

Discuss emerging threats to the country

ISLAMABAD: Telecom and security experts underlined the importance of cyber security in the face of new threats from extremists.

The banned outfit, Daesh, has an organised cyber network for speed, secure and global linkage. Criminals of today have a complete understanding of the internet and that is why cyber security has become important.

These thoughts were expressed by Ammar Jaffri, former additional director general of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA). He was addressing a seminar on ‘cyber security and emerging threats’, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute on Monday.



According to a press release, the former director general said all seventeen sustainable development goals depend on the success of secure Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Speaking on ‘Vision 2015’, he said it will be difficult for Pakistan to develop without progress on ICT.

He said wars in future will not be physical, rather fought by destroying infrastructure. He added that the spread of technology is global, and that a truly secure environment cannot be built without international cooperation.

FIA Deputy Director Syed Aun Abbass Bukhari explained that cyber security was a joint responsibility of government and public.  “FIA is at par with international organisations, especially in forensic test, but it is difficult to move forward quickly in the absence of an international agreement.”

He further added the National Response Center for Cyber Crimes was a major stakeholder in framing the draft cyber law, already tabled in the Parliament for its passage. The enactment of law will give support to the law enforcing agencies in this regard, he said.

An official from the cyber wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the government was trying to protect the tangible assets of people, but that the required legal infrastructure was missing.

“The positive use of ICT should not be stopped just because of its dangers, as this will hinder all development,” said PTA Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.