Pakistan’s key ministries and state institutions are facing a serious cyber threat from the dangerous “Bulock ransomware.” The Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued an advisory to 39 ministries and institutions, warning them of the severe risk posed by these ongoing attacks. A formal letter was sent to top government bodies, including the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FBR, Election Commission, and PEMRA, cautioning them about the potential consequences. The advisory states that the attack could lead to permanent data loss, operational disruption, and the leakage of classified information. The ransomware specifically targets Windows-based devices, servers, cloud storage, and connected networks.
The “Bulock ransomware” encrypts files and demands a ransom for their release. National CERT has emphasized that the current wave of attacks is highly sophisticated. To mitigate the threat, all departments have been instructed to avoid downloading files from unverified sources, refrain from clicking on suspicious links or attachments, and provide immediate staff training on how to identify phishing attempts. They were also advised to immediately disconnect any infected systems from their networks and to report all incidents to National CERT without delay. The warning was sent to high-priority departments such as the National Information Technology Board (NITB), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the Finance Ministry, with an urgent request to share the advisory with all relevant stakeholders to prevent potential large-scale disruption.
