Indian-Made iPhones and Tech Devices Flagged as Potential Cybersecurity Threat to Pakistan: Government Advisory Warns of Intensified Cyber Attacks Amid Regional Tensions
By: IMRAN KHAN
Islamabad – May 2, 2025: A series of official advisories have raised alarm over the potential cybersecurity threats posed by Indian-manufactured iPhones and other tech devices in Pakistan, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions in South and Central Asia. Sources revealed that the Cabinet Division has issued a confidential letter to federal ministries, provincial chief secretaries, and other stakeholders, cautioning against potential surveillance, malware, and spyware threats embedded in imported technology products.
According to documents obtained by Ummat, Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has issued at least five advisories in recent weeks, highlighting hundreds of phishing links designed to infiltrate and compromise government networks, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure. These advisories warn that state-sponsored hackers may exploit the current regional instability to launch sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting Pakistan’s sensitive data and communications infrastructure.
The report further claims that Indian elements may be embedding malicious components in smartphones—particularly iPhones—being assembled in India for export to Pakistan. Given Apple’s global reputation for data protection and device security, concerns have been raised that compromised hardware or software could facilitate data interception, surveillance, or cyber-espionage under the guise of legitimate usage.
The advisory cautions that hackers may impersonate Apple support agents or create counterfeit portals mimicking Apple’s interface to deceive Pakistani users. The Cabinet Division recommended that all Apple devices should be purchased only from verified resellers, with seals and packaging carefully inspected. It further advises keeping devices updated via official Apple channels, using end-to-end encrypted communication platforms, strong passwords, and reliable antivirus software.
Additional threats were also identified in popular network management and VPN tools, such as Palo Alto Networks and SonicWall. CERT noted critical vulnerabilities in these systems that could allow unauthorized access without login credentials. Institutions using these technologies have been urged to immediately apply security patches and limit management interface access to trusted IP addresses only, while implementing multi-factor authentication to prevent breaches.
This cybersecurity alert follows earlier revelations that over 16 million cyber attacks targeting Pakistan were thwarted in 2023 alone. CERT and the National Telecom and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) are operating four specialized cyber response teams under the newly formed national cybersecurity authority, established in March 2024 to counter cyber warfare threats.
The advisories underscore that state-sponsored phishing campaigns—some even impersonating senior officials from the military’s ISPR—have attempted to infiltrate internal networks and extract classified information. These efforts have included sending malware-infected links and fake emails to key personnel within financial and defense institutions.
As regional cyber threats continue to evolve, Pakistani institutions are being urged to enhance their cyber defenses, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and ensure compliance with national cybersecurity protocols to safeguard against hostile digital incursions.
