The Pakistani government has issued a stern warning against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) products and services with “Indian origin,” citing them as a potential threat to the country’s critical information infrastructure. According to a cybersecurity advisory reported by Geo News, the government expressed concerns about the constant and concealed threats posed by Indian AI products.
In the advisory distributed to federal and provincial ministries, the government urged information technology and financial institutions, including regulators, to avoid any collaboration, installation, or use of Indian AI products and information and communication technology. The document revealed that the government had received information indicating engagement between Pakistan’s fintech sector, including banks, and Indian-origin companies providing IT products, cybersecurity, and AI solutions.
Highlighting the risks involved, the advisory pointed to the potential for backdoors or malware in Indian-origin products that could collect sensitive information such as logs, data traffic analysis, and personally identifiable information. It also expressed apprehension about “direct Indian ingress” into Pakistan’s critical information infrastructure and raised concerns about passive monitoring capability.
The government emphasized the need for organizations to opt for Pakistani alternatives instead of relying on Indian-origin solutions. The advisory called on federal and provincial ministries, along with sectoral regulators, to raise awareness among their affiliated setups and organizations about the associated risks.
The backdrop of mutual mistrust between Pakistan and India, neighboring nations in South Asia with a history of strained relations, adds a complex layer to the government’s cautionary stance.
