ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government has issued the cyber security advisory to the government departments after it was revealed that intelligence agencies of other countries are getting an easy access to sensitive data through phone sets of government officials by using hacking software applications.
According to an official written communication, the federal interior ministry in its directions to around 21 government departments including law enforcement agencies, strictly banned the use of social networking applications particularly “Whatsapp” for sharing official documents and information as hostile intelligence agencies have gained technical capabilities to hack the mobile phones of government officials.
Sources privy to the development informed ‘The News Today’ that this advisory has been issued after communication by Cabinet Secretariat, National Telecom & Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) on Jan 31st revealing the data access practices by hostile secret service agencies.
The official document No. 1-5/2003 (NTISB-II) issued by Cabinet Secretariat revealed that Hostile Intelligence agencies have developed technical capabilities and means to gain access of sensitive information stored in mobile phones of government officials.
The spyware companies are using hacking software and applications including “Chat Line” and “Pegasus” to access the accounts of targeted mobile phones (IOS and Android) on social networking application Whatsapp by generating missed call on targeted Whatsapp number.
The official communication revealed that “Pegasus” malware has infected approximately 1400 senior government and military officials in twenty countries including Pakistan. Hostile spyware companies such as Israel based NSO Group have been facing law suit by Whatsapp/Facebook in court of San Francisco for violating States laws and Whatsapp terms of services.
The NTISB, Cabinet Division issued the directions to all senior government officials holding sensitive portfolios and offices dealing with national security issues in particular, to immediately stop sharing any official/classified information on Whatsapp or similar application. It also said all mobile phones purchased prior to 10th May 2019 should immediately replaced with new one.
Federal interior ministry issued this cyber security advisory to 21 government departments including Capital Development Authority (CDA), Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), National Police Foundation (NPF), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan’s Rangers Sindh, Pakistan’s Rangers Punjab, Frontier Corps (North) Peshawar, Frontier Corps (South) Dera Ismail Khan, Frontier Corp (North) Quetta, Frontier Corp (South) Turbat, Pakistan Coast Guards Karachi, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, Commandant Frontier Constabulary (Peshawar), National Police Academy Islamabad, National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA), Immigration and Passport Head Office (Islamabad), Civil Defense Islamabad, National Academy of Prisons Administration (Lahore) and National Police bureau Islamabad with direction of strict compliance.
Below are copies of official letters:
