Security Risks from PDL's Shift to UAE Satellite Connectivity

Pak Datacom (PDL) has transitioned its satellite connectivity to Yahsat, a UAE operator, impacting over 400 branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). This shift raises security concerns as the bank manages all government accounts, and the new setup could expose sensitive data. The former CEO of PDL, Brig (Retired) Syed Zulfiqar Ali, highlighted that the previous arrangement using PakSat was more secure. Despite claims of using a virtual private network, the risk of data compromise remains significant. He has recommended reverting to an indigenous network based on PakSat to mitigate these risks. The Telecom Foundation, which controls PDL, is under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, emphasizing the need for security clearances for sensitive operations. The current situation poses a notable threat to national security due to the reliance on foreign infrastructure.

Key Points: • Pak Datacom shifted satellite connectivity to Yahsat, a UAE-based operator. • Over 400 branches of the National Bank of Pakistan are affected by this change. • Security risks are heightened as sensitive government accounts are now managed via foreign infrastructure.