Editorial: Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity in Pakistan: Growing Challenges and Institutional Preparedness

Like several developing countries, the use of internet has seen an explosive
growth during the past few years. A recent study titled “Journey to Digital”
outlined that approximately 54 percent of the country’s population is now
connected to the cyberspace. It also notes that 46 percent access internet
every day. The annual Payment System Review (PSR) conducted by the
State Bank of Pakistan also reported rapid growth in digital payments. The
number of transactions processed through PRISM or Pakistan’s Realtime
Interbank Settlement Mechanism grew by more than 60 percent during the
last financial year. E-banking transactions also spiked by more than 31
percent during the same period. Dawn has also reported that about 9 million
people in Pakistan engage in cryptocurrencies trading.