Sensitive data of thousands of Pakistanis put on sale online

Naqvi orders NCCIA probe into leak affecting officials, public and ministers

Thousands of Pakistanis—including federal ministers and senior officials—are reportedly affected by an ongoing breach of personal data, now available for sale online, Express News reported.

Data available for purchase includes mobile SIM owners’ addresses, call logs, copies of national identity cards, and abroad‑travel details. The records span a wide range of individuals, from federal ministers to PTA spokespersons, and extend across government tiers.

Despite a similar warning issued by Express News on October 12 last year, the illicit trade continues, with weak enforcement failing to stem the leak. Authorities including PTA and NCCIA have remained largely silent—despite assurances that offending websites were shut down.

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According to the report, dozens of sites are offering sensitive data at low prices—mobile location data for Rs500, detailed mobile records for Rs2,000, and international travel details for Rs5,000. Intelligence sources warn that harmful actors could exploit such data to target victims at minimal cost.

Civilians are demanding accountability: how the leak occurred, who’s behind it, and why corrective action wasn’t taken earlier.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of the report, directing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to launch a detailed probe.

A 14‑member task force has been assembled to identify those responsible and initiate legal proceedings. The investigative panel is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.