ISLAMABAD: On Friday, the government cautioned government officials about potential hacking attempts targeting mobile phones to acquire “sensitive information.” They urged officials to stay vigilant.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) , in a statement, said, “Security agencies have unearthed an attempt to hack the mobile phones of senior government officials in a bid to obtain sensitive information.”
It stated that the individuals behind the attempts employed phishing methods, assuming the identities of senior government officials.
The PMO further added, “The involved elements, in the name of senior government officials, made the nefarious attempt to obtain sensitive information from state officials and the bureaucracy. Attempts to obtain information were also made by sending mobile-hacking links on WhatsApp.”
Furthermore, it conveyed that the government has directed all state officials to maintain vigilance and disregard any such messages.
The officials have also been instructed to promptly inform the Cabinet Division upon receiving such a message.
“Pakistan’s security agencies are fully alert on this matter,” the PMO statement added.
Back in July, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) instructed the interior ministry to collaborate on a joint investigation into a data breach. The committee had expressed concerns about the leakage of citizens’ data, particularly that of military authorities, from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).
PMO Faces Security Breach
In September of the previous year, a series of audio recordings surfaced. These recordings featured conversations among key government figures. This group included then-premier Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and certain members of the federal cabinet.
The content of these recordings appeared to be casual discussions. These discussions were held within the Prime Minister’s Office. It’s worth noting that these were not recorded telephone conversations.
Initially, a recording involving Shehbaz emerged. In this recording, he engaged in a conversation with an unidentified official. They discussed the potential facilitation of importing Indian machinery. This machinery was intended for a power project linked to Maryam’s son-in-law, Raheel.
Subsequently, more recordings emerged the following day. These recordings were shared on social media by various PTI leaders. The focus of these recordings was former finance minister Miftah Ismail and the resignations of PTI lawmakers from the National Assembly.
One of the clips featured a discussion between Maryam and Shehbaz about Miftah. In this clip, a voice attributed to Maryam reportedly commented that he “doesn’t know what he is doing.” The voice also expressed a desire for the return of PML-N stalwart Ishaq Dar.
Another clip allegedly involved a conversation among several individuals. This group included Shehbaz, then-defense minister Khawaja Asif, then-law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, then-interior minister Rana Sanaullah, and Ayaz Sadiq. They discussed the resignations of PTI lawmakers from the National Assembly.
A third clip purportedly contained a discussion between Maryam and Shehbaz. The topic of this discussion was the potential return of former army chief retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Responses to Audio Leaks: Shehbaz Forms Committee, PTI Petitions SC
Shehbaz considered the emergence of audio leaks a “very serious lapse.” As a response, he announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the matter.
On the other hand, the PTI filed a petition in the SC. This petition requested an investigation into the audio recordings. In addition, former premier Imran Khan addressed a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and other SC judges. In the letter, he sought the “enforcement” of public fundamental rights, including the Constitution’s Article 14 (fundamental right to privacy).
