Zong brought regulators, national cyber authorities, academia and telecom operators together in Islamabad on 28 October to deepen collaboration on securing Pakistan’s digital future, as part of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) national Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026.
The industry session sat under the week’s theme of building a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace. PTA Member Compliance and Enforcement Dr Khawar Siddique Khokhar attended as chief guest, with senior officials from the PTA, the Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PKCERT), the Ministry of IT and Telecom, other regulators, telecom operators and Zong’s leadership also present.
Why the Islamabad session was held
Organisers framed the meeting against rising sophistication in online threats and stressed collective action, shared accountability and stronger digital infrastructure. Speakers said technology alone is not enough: networks, data and platforms need continuous defence if more people are to come online with confidence.
Zong Chief Technology Officer Mao Weiliang opened by arguing that cybersecurity must be built into the foundations of 5G, artificial intelligence and Pakistan’s wider digital shift. He described layered security, access controls and AI-supported round-the-clock security operations as tools to detect, contain and respond to attacks, while stressing that “cybersecurity is a shared responsibility” and that individuals also play a critical role in keeping networks trusted.
What officials and industry leaders said
PKCERT Director General Dr Haider Abbas underlined national cyber readiness and ongoing cooperation across the digital ecosystem. Brig. Dr Muhammad Mukaram Khan, Director General of the PTA’s CVD (the authority’s cyber-related directorate), also spoke, calling for a safer and more resilient digital Pakistan.
From Zong, Executive Director Information Technology Ali Waqas focused on data protection and governance. Head of Information Security Rehan Siddiq discussed how AI can strengthen cybersecurity and why AI systems themselves must be secured. Talks flagged joint responses to phishing (fraudulent messages that trick users), SIM fraud and deepfakes (AI-generated fake media).
What Zong says it is doing next
Zong presented cybersecurity as central to its move toward technology-led services and AI enablement. During the week it also promoted safer practices among customers and employees. The company said it will keep working with regulators and industry partners to reinforce cyber resilience and digital trust as Pakistan’s online economy grows.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Zong ne Islamabad mein PTA ke Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2026 ke dauran regulators aur industry ko ikattha kiya. Unhone phishing, SIM fraud aur deepfakes jaise khatron par mil kar kaam karne ki baat ki. Officials ne kaha ke sirf technology kaafi nahi, har user ko bhi ehtiyat karni chahiye. Aam Pakistani ke liye matlab yeh hai ke online accounts, SIMs aur messages par zyada careful rehna zaroori hai.
