Pak Datacom’s Data Transfer to UAE Satellite Firm Raises Security Concerns

The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Monday raised serious security concerns over the transfer of data belonging to government entities by Pak Datacom to a foreign satellite company based in the UAE.

The issue came under discussion during the committee meeting, where members questioned whether the requisite permissions had been obtained before government data was transferred to the foreign satellite company.

The General Manager of Pak Datacom informed the committee that the data had been transferred only after obtaining permission from all concerned government entities. However, the committee chairman expressed concern that transferring sensitive government data to a foreign-based satellite company could pose serious security risks.

“Does shifting the data not create security issues?” Senator Saadia Abbasi questioned during the meeting.

The committee was also briefed by the former CEO of Pak Datacom, who cautioned that transferring government data to a foreign satellite company based in the UAE could create security vulnerabilities. He urged the relevant security agencies to take up the matter and examine the implications of transferring government data outside Pakistan.

Committee members also discussed the need for an independent audit of the data-transfer arrangement to determine whether all security, regulatory, and procedural requirements had been fulfilled.

The chairman recommended that the National Telecom and Information Security Board (NTISB) conduct an audit of the transfer of government entities’ data to the foreign satellite company.

The committee stressed that the security of government data could not be compromised and called for a detailed assessment of the arrangement, particularly in view of the involvement of a foreign-based entity.

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