Data of nearly 300,000 Hajj applicants leaked on dark web, reveals PTA chief 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman has revealed that confidential information of nearly 300,000 Hajj applicants has been leaked and found circulating on the dark web.

He made the disclosure during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, presided over by Senator Palwasha Khan, on Friday.

The PTA head underlined the importance of a detailed probe to determine the origin of the breach.

He mentioned that the authority had carried out an internal investigation in 2022, while the Ministry of Interior has now initiated a formal inquiry into the case.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, speaking during the session, explained that personal data is usually stolen from multiple sources, compiled, and later sold.

The committee chairperson shared her own experience of receiving a fake banking call, raising concern over how fraudsters obtain access to such highly sensitive records.

Rehman clarified that over the past two years, no telecom-related data has appeared on the dark web. However, he emphasized the urgent requirement for a national-level system to secure personal data.

The Senate body, on the other hand, voiced concern about delays in passing legislation on data protection.

The Ministry of IT informed the committee that a draft bill has already been prepared and consultations with stakeholders are ongoing. Senator Afnan Ullah cautioned that failing to enact such a law could result in serious consequences for the country.

The committee also discussed the long-delayed merger between Ufone and Telenor.

Officials from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) stated that the process was now in its final stages and likely to be completed within two weeks, despite an 18-month delay caused by late submission of required data.

The PTA chairman noted that until this merger is finalized, the spectrum auction for 5G services cannot take place.

Senator Kamran Murtaza, however, questioned whether the issue could realistically be resolved in two weeks after such a long hold-up.

Ministry of IT representatives reiterated that the 5G auction is scheduled for December, while Rehman assured that the authority is ready, though a few issues remain pending.