The government is preparing to make the Social Media Regulatory Authority operational, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Thursday, as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its response to growing online risks.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Cybersecurity Awareness Week, she said the rapid expansion of digital services was creating new security challenges, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Khawaja said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had been activated under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). She also highlighted the availability of national and provincial cybersecurity emergency response teams.

The minister stressed the need to improve systems for reporting cyber incidents and raise awareness about online threats.

She warned that children were increasingly active on social media and faced risks such as cyberbullying. Information shared online could also expose individuals and their families to fraud, she said.

Khawaja said cybersecurity had become an essential part of everyday life and called for greater efforts to protect people and digital systems as Pakistan continues its transition towards a more connected economy.