Data of 350,000 Hajj Applicants Uploaded on Dark Web, PTA Chief Confirms
Islamabad: In a startling revelation, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology was informed that hackers have uploaded the personal data of **350,000 Hajj applicants** to the dark web, including citizens who applied for the **2026 Hajj pilgrimage**.
The disclosure by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman triggered serious concern among lawmakers, with Committee Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan terming the breach a matter of **“national security and public trust.”**
Authorities are investigating whether this is a fresh data breach or linked to the **2022 data leak**, the committee was told. In addition to Hajj applicants, data belonging to SIM card users has also reportedly been compromised.
Lawmakers expressed anger over the government’s failure to pass the long-pending **Data Protection Bill**, with Senator Afnan Ullah stating: *“The very law that could prevent such thefts is not being allowed to pass.”*
Concerns were also raised about the competence of the newly established **National Cybercrime Agency (NCCA)**, which has been assigned by the Interior Ministry to lead the probe.
The committee further questioned the security of sensitive databases belonging to the **Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)** and **NADRA**, with Senator Kamran Murtaza warning that data has previously been used as a **strategic weapon during Pakistan-India tensions**.
During the meeting, PTA also confirmed that the **merger of PTCL and Telenor** is in its final stage and expected to conclude within two weeks. On the issue of **5G spectrum auction**, the regulator confirmed technical readiness but cited legal hurdles.
Meanwhile, the committee referred the alleged **Rs. 6 billion overcharging scandal by Jazz** to the Public Accounts Committee, after audit officials revealed that the telecom operator had increased package prices to extract extra payments from users. Lawmakers also voiced dissatisfaction over the **poor quality of mobile networks** across the country.
