Are ATMs and Banks Really Disrupted in Pakistan Amid Tensions with India?

The National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), in a decisive move backed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has shared an advisory to address widespread rumors circulating across social media regarding the alleged shutdown of ATMs and disruptions to online banking services nationwide. Authorities have confirmed that these claims are entirely unfounded and that all banking infrastructure, including ATMs and digital platforms, is operating smoothly and without any interruption. In an official public advisory, the National CERT highlighted that the alarming messages being shared are baseless and appear to be deliberately designed to cause panic. The cybersecurity divisions within banks and various financial institutions are diligently monitoring their systems and have detected no evidence of any credible cyber threat that could impact ATM functionality or online banking operations. The advisory assured the public that Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem remains robust and secure. CERT strongly urged citizens to disregard any unverified information circulating through unofficial channels and to instead seek accurate information directly from their respective banks or official government sources. The SBP is maintaining close collaboration with CERT to continuously bolster the security and resilience of all financial services. The advisory also included crucial safety guidelines for the public. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant while using ATMs and conducting online transactions. Citizens are also cautioned against sharing sensitive financial information such as PINs, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), and account passwords with anyone. The public is further urged to carefully inspect ATMs for any suspicious devices or attachments, to avoid clicking on unverified links received via email or social media, and to always ensure they log out completely after concluding their online banking sessions. To further enhance national financial cybersecurity, CERT has provided clear instructions for reporting any suspicious activity or potential fraudulent incidents. Citizens are urged to immediately contact their banks and to formally report the incident through the official incident reporting form or via email. These established channels are designed to facilitate prompt investigation and effective responses to cyber-related threats and scams.