Pakistan’s banking sector successfully concluded its first-ever industry-wide Cyber Drill, a week-long exercise held from 12 to 19 January 2026 in Karachi and Lahore, with a closing ceremony hosted in Karachi. This initiative, jointly organized by the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), brought together 34 financial institutions in a coordinated effort to enhance cyber resilience across the country’s banking ecosystem.
The closing ceremony was attended by Governor SBP, Mr Jameel Ahmad, who graced the event as Chief Guest, and Chairman PBA, Mr Zafar Masud, who hosted the occasion on behalf of the industry. Their presence, along with senior leadership from participating banks and partner organizations, underscored the collective commitment of Pakistan’s financial sector to strengthen cyber preparedness and reinforce public trust in the banking system.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor SBP, Mr Jameel Ahmad, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving cyber resilience. He stated, “Cyber resilience cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires collective preparedness, transparent information sharing, and trust between regulators and regulated entities. In today’s environment, cyber resilience is measured not by whether cyber-attacks occur, but by how effectively we respond to them. As Pakistan’s banking sector continues its digital transformation, maintaining public trust is paramount. Initiatives such as these cybersecurity drills send a strong and reassuring signal—to customers, markets, and international partners—that Pakistan’s financial system is proactive, prepared, and aligned with global standards. This initiative is undoubtedly an important milestone—one that reflects the growing maturity, foresight, and collective resolve of our financial system to address significant emerging risks, such as cyber risks.”
Chairman PBA, Mr Zafar Masud, highlighted the strategic importance of cyber resilience, stating, “Cyber resilience is no longer a choice; it is a strategic imperative for the financial sector. The PBA-SBP industry-wide cyber drill represents a significant step toward strengthening collective preparedness, improving coordination, and building institutional muscle memory to respond effectively to evolving cyber threats. PBA remains committed to driving initiatives that enhance the security and resilience of Pakistan’s banking sector and reinforce public trust in the financial system.”
The week-long drill engaged both technical teams and senior management through parallel technical and management tracks. Participating institutions responded to realistic cyber crisis scenarios, including ransomware attacks and disruptions to key alternative digital channels. The exercise required cross-functional coordination, effective problem-solving, and timely decision-making under pressure. The simulation aimed to assess and strengthen incident response, crisis management, and coordination capabilities amid an evolving cyber threat landscape, ensuring that institutions are better prepared to safeguard operational continuity.
The drill also recognized the efforts of participating financial institutions and the SBP-PBA Cyber Drill Committee for their role in planning and executing the event. The exercise highlighted the importance of collaboration, information sharing, and preparedness to maintain operational resilience in the financial sector.
The successful completion of Pakistan’s first industry-wide cyber drill reflects the maturity, foresight, and proactive approach of the country’s banking sector. It reinforces the shared responsibility of financial institutions, regulators, and industry bodies to remain adaptive, resilient, and prepared against increasingly complex cyber threats, ultimately strengthening the overall security and trust in Pakistan’s financial system.
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