September 20, 2023
1 min read

Pakistan Advises Against Using Indian-Origin AI and ICT Products

It noted that globally AI products and services are being used by various industries, including financial and banking sectors to accelerate enterprise growth…reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan federal government has advised all informational technology (IT) and financial institutions, including regulators, to “refrain from collaboration, installation and use of Indian origin” artificial intelligence (AI)/information and communication technology (ICT) products as it may pose a “constant, concealed and force multiplier threat” to Pakistan’s critical information infrastructure (CII), media reports said.

The government informed the authorities concerned of the threat via a “cyber security advisory” shared with federal and provincial ministries including sectoral regulators, Geo News reported.

It noted that globally AI products and services are being used by various industries, including financial and banking sectors to accelerate enterprise growth.

“It has been learnt that [the] fintech sector of Pakistan, including a few banks, are engaged with Indian-origin companies who are offering them IT products, cyber security and AI solutions, etc.,” the document stated, Geo News reported. 

It added that the “use of Indian security products/solutions” has been a constant, concealed and force multiplier threat to Pakistan’s CII, including banking sector, for two reasons.

The factors were identified as a “possibility” of “backdoor or malware” in the products to collect “logs/data traffic analysis and personal identifiable information (PII)”.

The other factor it pointed out is that it is “direct Indian ingress in Pakistan’s CII through technical means/access control with passive monitoring capability”, Geo News reported.

The document added: “Above in view, all Federal/Provincial Ministries including sectoral regulators are requested to sensitise their affiliated setups/organisations/licensees, on the risks involved in the use of Indian origin products/solutions.”

While refraining the authorities from using Indian products, the government directed them to instead consult with the Pakistan Software House Association and “find Pakistani technical companies for suitable economical alternatives”, Geo News reported.

ALSO READ-Pakistan Denies Secret Arms Deal with Ukraine for IMF Bailout

Previous Story

‘I am Sirat’ Explores Transgender Struggles

Next Story

Spice Up Your Ganesh Chaturthi with Star-Endorsed Recipes

Latest from -Top News

Trump tariffs send world markets into panic

US benchmark crude oil shed $2.70 to $64.25 a barrel after major oil producers announced they plan to increase production. Brent crude, the international standard, was down $2.63 at $67.51 a barrel

EU prepares retaliation for Trump’s tariffs

The European Commission is assembling a fresh round of counter-tariffs aimed at US goods, adding to two existing lists of potential targets—one of which includes products that were hit by suspended tariffs

US, EU slam China’s war games near Taiwan

US President Donald Trump underscored the need to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, advocating for a diplomatic approach to cross-strait tensions while warning against the use of force The United States

£13.9 billion of R&D fund to boost innovation, jobs

Funding outlined to support transformational R&D in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond More UK innovators like those developing treatment-transforming dementia tests or building world-leading testing facilities to power
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Reliance Jio, GSMA team up to upskill rural women

The national roll-out phase is now underway, with the programme

WW I vintage bunker found in Madurai college

The bunker was discovered accidentally while the workers were cleaning