ISLAMABAD: A prominent Pakistani television network announced on Friday that it had successfully prevented a sophisticated cyberattack aimed at disrupting its broadcast transmissions. The channel identified the attackers as hackers operating from Afghanistan, allegedly receiving support from facilitators based in India. This revelation adds to growing concerns about cross-border cyber threats targeting Pakistan’s media infrastructure.
The Khyber Network revealed in an official statement that the attempted breach occurred during the late hours of March 12, specifically between 10:30 pm and 2:15 am. During this critical window, the hackers tried to infiltrate the channel’s transmission systems, intending to disrupt the flow of information to viewers. However, thanks to swift and coordinated efforts by both state security agencies and the broadcaster’s in-house technical team, the attack was completely neutralized, ensuring uninterrupted service.
the statement, the combined response from government institutions and the channel’s cybersecurity experts was both prompt and effective, successfully blocking the malicious intrusion before it could cause any damage. The channel emphasized that this joint effort was crucial in maintaining the integrity of its broadcast operations. While the broadcaster pointed to the involvement of Afghan-based hackers and Indian facilitators, it refrained from disclosing further specifics about the identities or methods of the attackers.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of cyberattacks targeting Pakistani media outlets and digital platforms in recent weeks. Earlier in March, on the 1st, multiple private television channels, including , experienced hacking attempts aimed at compromising their systems. Several websites also fell victim to similar cyber intrusions, with some briefly taken offline before technical teams managed to restore normal operations. These coordinated attacks have raised alarms about the vulnerability of Pakistan’s media infrastructure in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
In addition to direct hacking attempts, authorities reported efforts to disrupt satellite frequencies used by various television channels, leading to temporary transmission interruptions in certain regions. These disruptions underscored the multifaceted nature of the cyber threats, targeting not just digital platforms but also satellite communication channels. Officials have assured the public that measures are underway to reinforce security protocols and restore all affected systems to full functionality.
Despite the seriousness of these attacks, the government has yet to issue an official statement detailing the incidents or identifying those responsible. Security agencies, along with cybersecurity experts, continue to investigate the breaches to better understand the tactics employed and to prevent future occurrences. Experts note that cyberattacks tend to escalate during periods of heightened regional tensions, underscoring the urgent need for Pakistan to bolster its digital defenses and protect critical information infrastructure against such hostile activities.
