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Pakistan has faced more than 400 cyberattacks during the current year, with authorities successfully stopping all reported attacks in time, according to the Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team, Dr Haider Abbas. Dr Abbas said the growing number of cyber threats showed the need for stronger national cybersecurity measures. He called for the establishment of a powerful National Cyber Security Authority to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the country. Speaking in an interview, he said Pakistan was facing increasingly complex cyber threats. He also warned about the risks posed by cyberattacks allegedly backed by state actors. According to Dr Abbas, Pakistan needs a central institution with sufficient authority to deal with the growing cybersecurity challenges. He proposed placing the National Cyber Security Authority under the prime minister. He said a national authority working under the prime minister could respond more effectively to major cyber threats. It could also improve coordination between government institutions and other organisations responsible for digital security. The official stressed that cybersecurity had become an important national issue. The increasing dependence on digital systems has also increased the potential risks to government institutions, businesses and other critical sectors. More than 400 attacks reported this year highlight the scale of the challenge facing Pakistan. Although the attacks were reportedly prevented, officials believe the country needs stronger systems to detect and respond to future threats. Dr Abbas said the proposed authority should oversee cybersecurity across the country. It should also ensure that different institutions follow effective security measures and remain prepared for emerging digital threats. A central cybersecurity body could help improve coordination during cyber emergencies. It could also allow authorities to respond quickly when sensitive digital systems come under attack. The official’s proposal comes as cyber threats continue to become more sophisticated worldwide. Governments are increasingly focusing on protecting critical infrastructure, public institutions and digital networks from cyberattacks. Pakistan has also expanded its dependence on online systems in government, banking, communications and other sectors. Any major cyberattack on important infrastructure could potentially disrupt essential services. Dr Abbas therefore called for a stronger national framework to protect Pakistan’s digital environment. He said the proposed authority should have a clear mandate and sufficient powers to manage cybersecurity across the country. He also emphasised the importance of a coordinated national response. Different government departments and institutions need to work together to identify threats and prevent attacks before they cause damage. The official said placing the authority under the prime minister would give it greater effectiveness and allow important decisions to be taken quickly. The disclosure of more than 400 cyberattacks this year has renewed attention on Pakistan’s digital security. Authorities are now facing growing pressure to strengthen national cybersecurity systems and improve preparedness against future threats.

Pakistan is expected to receive another widespread spell of monsoon rains from July 29 to August 5, with the weather system likely to affect several parts of the country. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of heavy and very heavy rainfall in several areas. It has also cautioned about urban flooding, flash floods and landslides. According to the weather advisory, moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper and central parts of the country from July 29. A westerly weather system affecting northern areas is also likely to strengthen from August 1. It may bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to upper and central regions. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and the Galliyat are expected to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 29 to August 4. Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and nearby areas may also experience heavy rainfall. Several districts of central and southern Punjab are also likely to receive rain. These include Lahore, Narowal, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha and Sahiwal. Southern Punjab may see rainfall between July 31 and August 3. Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are among the areas expected to be affected. Sindh is likely to receive rain from July 31 to August 2. Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar and several other districts may experience thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall. Other parts of Sindh, including Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Thatta, are also expected to receive rain. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is likely to face widespread rain and thunderstorms from July 29 to August 5. Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and several other districts may receive heavy or very heavy rain. Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai and Waziristan are also expected to experience rainfall during the forecast period. Balochistan is likely to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 31 to August 3. Zhob, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar and several surrounding areas may be affected. Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also expected to receive rain and thunderstorms. Kashmir may experience rainfall from the night of July 28 to August 5, while parts of Gilgit-Baltistan may remain affected until August 6. The PMD has issued a specific warning about urban flooding. Low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad could face flooding between July 30 and August 4. Several cities and districts in Sindh may also face urban flooding from July 31 to August 2. These include Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot. The weather department has also warned of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas. Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir could be affected. Heavy rainfall may also cause flash floods in streams and nullahs. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and parts of northeastern Balochistan could also experience sudden flooding. Strong winds and lightning may damage weak structures during the spell. Solar panels, electricity poles, billboards and other vulnerable installations could be affected. The PMD has advised tourists and travellers to exercise caution during the rainy period. People travelling through mountainous areas have been urged to remain alert. Farmers have also been advised to plan agricultural activities according to weather conditions. They have been asked to take precautionary measures to protect crops and livestock.

KARACHI: Customs authorities have recovered a large amount of foreign currency from six passengers travelling from Karachi to Dubai. According to officials, the passengers belonged to the same family. Authorities recovered $55,000 in US currency and Rs950,000 in Pakistani cash from them. Officials said the passengers were carrying foreign currency above the limit permitted by the State Bank of Pakistan. The currency had also not been properly declared before their travel. The authorities took action under the Customs Act 1969 after the undeclared currency was discovered. Customs officials said the case involved six members of one family. The recovery was made during checks at the airport before the passengers could leave the country. Officials said the passengers had exceeded the permissible limit for carrying foreign currency abroad. They also failed to meet the required declaration procedures. Customs authorities stressed that travellers must comply with regulations governing the movement of foreign currency. Passengers carrying amounts above the permitted limits are required to follow the applicable declaration procedures. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of checks at international airports. Customs officials regularly monitor passengers and baggage to detect undeclared currency and other restricted items. Authorities said preventing currency smuggling remains a priority. They are maintaining strict checks to identify attempts to move large amounts of undeclared foreign currency out of Pakistan. Customs officials said they are following a zero-tolerance policy against currency smuggling. They added that action would be taken against anyone found violating the relevant laws. The recovered amount included both US dollars and Pakistani rupees. The officials did not provide further details about the intended use of the money or the identities of the passengers. The case also highlights the need for travellers to understand currency rules before leaving Pakistan. Failure to declare currency or carrying amounts beyond the permitted limits can lead to legal action under the applicable laws. Authorities are continuing proceedings in the case under the Customs Act 1969. The recovery is among the latest incidents showing the role of airport customs checks in preventing the illegal movement of currency. Officials said such measures are necessary to protect Pakistan’s financial system and enforce foreign exchange regulations. Customs authorities reiterated that passengers travelling abroad must comply with all currency declaration requirements. They said strict action would continue against attempts to move undeclared currency across Pakistan’s international borders.