The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) have formally joined forces to strengthen Pakistan’s digital security framework through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on cybersecurity collaboration, information exchange, and enhanced regulatory resilience. The signing ceremony, held at NTC Headquarters in Islamabad, marks a major milestone in the country’s journey toward securing critical digital infrastructure.
The agreement was signed in the presence of NTC Managing Director Maj Gen (R) Ali Farhan, SECP Commissioner Mujtaba Ahmed Lodhi, and senior officials from both organizations. The partnership underscores a shared vision to address growing cybersecurity threats, promote digital transformation, and align national practices with international standards of data security and risk management.
Under the terms of the MoU, SECP and NTC will work together on a series of strategic initiatives, including collaborative research on emerging cyber risks, technical cooperation in developing digital defense mechanisms, and the exchange of expertise on cybersecurity operations. The agreement also emphasizes capacity-building programs for professionals in the regulatory and ICT sectors, enabling a more agile and prepared response to potential cyber incidents.
Both organizations will also jointly promote the establishment and operation of Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), aligning their efforts with the broader national cybersecurity policy. These CERTs are expected to serve as rapid response units for detecting, analyzing, and mitigating cyberattacks targeting public and regulatory systems.
Maj Gen (R) Ali Farhan, Managing Director of NTC, highlighted the growing importance of coordinated institutional efforts to defend against digital threats. He stated, “In an era where cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated, institutional partnerships like this one are essential to protect national interests. By leveraging our technical expertise and SECP’s regulatory insights, we can enhance the resilience of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and ensure secure communication channels across government and regulatory bodies.”
SECP Commissioner Mujtaba Ahmed Lodhi reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and resilience across Pakistan’s financial and regulatory systems. “Cybersecurity is not the responsibility of a single entity—it is a shared obligation that requires collaboration, vigilance, and continuous innovation. Our partnership with NTC is an important step toward safeguarding digital assets and ensuring secure regulatory operations,” he said.
The collaboration also includes initiatives to enhance audit mechanisms and compliance frameworks in accordance with ISO 27001 standards — the globally recognized benchmark for information security management. By embedding these standards, both organizations aim to ensure that cybersecurity practices remain robust, proactive, and aligned with evolving global norms.
This MoU represents a continuation of SECP’s ongoing efforts to improve its digital infrastructure and strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity posture. The commission has been working toward adopting advanced technologies in supervision, reporting, and risk assessment to create a more resilient regulatory environment. NTC’s participation further strengthens these efforts by providing secure ICT infrastructure and leveraging its national network capabilities.
The National Telecommunication Corporation, a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), has long served as the official ICT and telecom service provider for Pakistan’s government, defense, and public sector entities. Since its establishment in 1996 under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, NTC has been at the forefront of digital innovation and secure communication services.
The SECP–NTC partnership is expected to accelerate Pakistan’s digital resilience agenda, enhance the security of sensitive data exchanges, and pave the way for a more coordinated national cybersecurity ecosystem.
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