Senators from PML-N and JUI-P were concerned regarding security of Islamabad’s Safe City surveillance system during a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting on March 11, 2026. They mentioned recent reports of hacked traffic cameras in Tehran and questioned possible Israeli connections in the software.
Fears Over Foreign Software Origins
Senator Afnan Ullah of PML-N told the committee that many global software platforms trace back to Israeli companies. He warned that such links could create real risks, especially during VVIP movements through the city. He suggested Pakistan should rely more on physical hardware checks instead of depending fully on software monitoring.
JUI-P Senator Talha Mahmood shared similar doubts. He recalled an earlier Senate Interior Committee inquiry that found the Safe City project company had an office in Turkey but deeper ties to Israel. Officials from the project strongly denied any ongoing Israeli involvement. They assured lawmakers that firewalls protect the system against cyber-attacks. Separate security steps exist for VVIP routes. Data servers and mobile apps stay secure, and regular technical audits take place.
The director general explained that BriefCam software, installed in 2021, now belongs to a Japanese firm. The head of the National Computer Emergency Response Team added that Pakistan imports most technology from abroad. He said authorities keep close watch on cyber threats and have blacklisted 15 software companies so far over security issues.
Committee Demands Full Software Details
The committee asked for a complete list of all software used in the Islamabad Safe City project. It also directed the technical team to give a detailed briefing at the next meeting.
Lawmakers then turned to the planned electronic M-Tag system for motorcycles in Islamabad. Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned its usefulness. He asked what would happen if a terrorist bought a tagged bike. Senator Talha Mahmood warned that stolen M-Tags could let attackers slip past checkpoints.
Islamabad’s deputy commissioner defended the plan. He noted that many countries use similar electronic identification for vehicles. He admitted possible weak points exist but stressed the need for better regulation and monitoring.
The meeting also touched on data security across government bodies. Senator Afnan Ullah claimed Nadra information appears on the dark web. Nadra officials rejected the charge. They said the database suffered only one hack in the past and remains protected. They pointed out that leaks often happen when people share details with other organisations.
The PTA chairman announced that spectrum bidding for 5G would move forward soon. The three major telecom companies have imported equipment and stand ready to start testing.
Officials also reported that around 120,000 tax records leaked in 2024, with 79 more exposed recently. The FBR IT team said they reported both incidents to national cyber security authorities and launched investigations.
