State Bank governor highlights need of collective approach to achieve cyber
Pakistan’s banking sector has successfully
concluded its first-ever industry-wide Cyber Drill, which took place from
January 12 to 19, 2026, across Karachi and Lahore.
The week-long exercise, designed with both management and technical tracks, involved 34 financial institutions simulating realistic cyber crisis situations, including ransomware attacks and disruptions to key digital services.
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The goal of the drill was to bolster incident
response, coordination, and crisis management capabilities, showcasing the
sector’s commitment to enhancing its cyber resilience amidst an evolving threat
landscape, according to a press release.
The closing ceremony, held in Karachi, was
attended by Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Mr. Jameel Ahmad, as
the Chief Guest, and Chairman of the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), Mr.
Zafar Masud, as the host. Senior leaders from the banking industry, SBP, and
partner organizations also participated.
Governor Ahmad highlighted that achieving
cyber resilience requires a collective approach, emphasizing the importance of
transparent information sharing and trust between regulators and financial
institutions. He called the drill “a significant milestone” in preparing the
sector for emerging cyber threats.
Chairman Masud described cyber resilience as a “strategic imperative” and underscored the drill as an essential step toward enhancing institutional readiness and strengthening public confidence in Pakistan’s banking system.
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The initiative also recognized the contributions of the participating institutions and the SBP-PBA Cyber Drill Committee for their role in the successful planning and execution of the event. The collaboration reflected the industry’s commitment to maintaining a proactive, resilient financial system that aligns with global standards.
Source: Mettis Global