Former Pak Datacom CEO Brigadier (Retd.) Syed Zulfiqar Ali has raised concerns over the security of the National Bank of Pakistan’s (NBP) satellite backup connectivity after more than 400 branches were shifted from Pakistan’s PakSat system to a UAE-based satellite network.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications, Zulfiqar said Pak Datacom had been providing satellite-based backup connectivity to NBP for around five years through a dedicated PakSat network.
The previous system operated through Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) hubs in Karachi and Islamabad, allowing the bank to maintain an independent domestic satellite connectivity setup.
According to the former CEO, the new arrangement uses Yahsat, a satellite operator based in the UAE, with both the satellite and associated hub located in the country.
Zulfiqar said the arrangement warrants scrutiny because NBP maintains government accounts, including accounts linked to defence-related activities. He cautioned that relying on satellite infrastructure and a hub located outside Pakistan could create risks for the security of sensitive information.
He further argued that placing the connectivity behind a Virtual Private Network (VPN) would not by itself remove the potential security exposure associated with the overseas satellite and hub.
The former CEO recommended restoring NBP’s satellite backup connectivity to a dedicated PakSat-based network, supported by hubs in Karachi and Islamabad.
He also proposed similar domestic satellite arrangements for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR), arguing that the three organisations should have dedicated satellite infrastructure within Pakistan.
The letter said an indigenous satellite network would provide greater control over critical connectivity and would be a safer option given the current regional security environment.
Zulfiqar also pointed to Pak Datacom’s ownership structure, stating that Telecom Foundation owns 55 percent of the company, while the remaining 45 percent is held by the general public. Telecom Foundation operates under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications.
He called on the relevant authorities to examine the concerns and determine whether corrective measures are required to address the security implications of NBP’s satellite connectivity arrangement.
