Govt Asks TV News Channels to Tighten Cybersecurity After Recent Attacks

The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT) has urged television news channels across Pakistan to strengthen their cybersecurity measures as authorities continue efforts to protect the country’s broadcast infrastructure from growing cyber threats following a series of high profile attacks earlier this year.

The call came during a meeting held at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) headquarters in Islamabad, where representatives from television news channels, along with technical teams responsible for broadcast operations and websites, reviewed cybersecurity preparedness and risk mitigation measures.

Officials from NCERT and PEMRA briefed participants on cybersecurity protocols, best practices, and strategies to safeguard broadcast systems and digital platforms against potential cyberattacks. The meeting also focused on improving coordination between regulators, cybersecurity experts, and media organizations to strengthen the sector’s overall cyber resilience.

According to sources, the government established a dedicated committee after coordinated cyberattacks targeted several major television channels and their websites in March 2026. The committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of cybersecurity standards across media organizations and ensuring they adopt stronger security measures.

Participants also discussed updated security practices, mechanisms for the early detection of cyber threats, and faster response procedures to minimize the impact of future incidents.

The latest meeting follows coordinated cyberattacks in March that targeted major Pakistani news organizations, including Geo News, Samaa TV, and ARY News. During the attacks, hackers reportedly hijacked live broadcasts and defaced news websites with pro Israel and Mossad related messages, prompting investigations by the National Computer Emergency Response Team (PKCERT).