The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) has directed all government and federal websites in Pakistan to shift into a “Read-Only” mode following increased concerns over rising regional tensions and a surge in hacktivist activity targeting public digital infrastructure. The advisory has been issued as a preventive cybersecurity measure aimed at protecting official government platforms from potential cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and unauthorized system access. According to National CERT, all relevant government departments are required to take immediate action to secure their digital systems and reduce exposure to evolving cyber risks affecting public sector networks.
The advisory outlines multiple cybersecurity threats that have prompted this precautionary step. One of the major risks highlighted is website defacement, where attackers alter website content to spread misleading information or propaganda. CERT also warned that interactive features such as contact forms, login systems, and search functions could be exploited through SQL injection attacks, which may result in exposure of sensitive citizen data. In addition, attackers may misuse file upload functions to deploy web shells, which can allow long term unauthorized access to government servers. The agency also noted that complex backend database queries could potentially be used in Denial of Service attacks, leading to system overloads and disruption of public services. Weaknesses in content management systems, including outdated plugins and themes, have also been identified as common entry points for attackers, along with brute-force attempts to gain administrative access.
National CERT further stated that the threat landscape includes both state sponsored advanced persistent threat groups and ideologically motivated hacktivists. These actors may target government systems either for long term infiltration or for immediate visibility through website defacement and disruption. Potential targets include federal and provincial government portals, citizen service platforms, and backend databases that store public records. The advisory emphasizes that the current cyber environment requires heightened security controls to ensure continuity of essential digital services and safeguard sensitive information stored on government infrastructure.
To mitigate these risks, CERT has recommended a series of immediate technical measures for all government entities. Departments have been instructed to block all modification requests on public websites and disable interactive elements such as forms and login interfaces. Strengthening database security by removing write permissions has also been advised. The use of Content Delivery Networks has been recommended to manage sudden traffic spikes and reduce vulnerability to distributed attacks, while file integrity monitoring systems are encouraged to detect any unauthorized changes in real time. Strict IP based access controls are also required to ensure that backend systems remain accessible only to authorized personnel. Additionally, in the event of a cyber breach, departments have been instructed to maintain static website snapshots for rapid deployment and keep offline backups to enable quick recovery of affected services.
National CERT has urged all government organizations to implement the “Read-Only” mode without delay and ensure continuous monitoring of website activity logs for any suspicious behavior. IT teams have also been directed to keep all interactive features disabled until further notice. Departments are required to report any cyber incidents or security concerns directly to National CERT via cert@pkcert.gov.pk. The agency stated that these measures are essential to strengthen the resilience of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and protect critical government systems from increasing cyber threats.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
