Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s cybersecurity framework and advancing the vision of Digital Pakistan.
The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dr Haider Abbas, TI, Director General of National CERT, and Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies, officials said on Monday.
Bridging Policy and Technology
Under the agreement, both institutions will work jointly on cybersecurity research, expert exchanges, training programmes, internships and public awareness initiatives. The partnership aims to bridge the long-standing gap between policy formulation and technical implementation, ensuring a more coordinated national response to emerging cyber threats.
Dr Abbas said cybersecurity had become an essential pillar of national security in an increasingly digital world. He stressed that research-driven collaboration was vital to counter sophisticated cyber risks and to build a resilient digital ecosystem for Pakistan.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem noted that cybersecurity now plays a central role in both regional stability and national security, adding that closer cooperation between policy institutions and technical bodies was critical in addressing evolving digital challenges.
Boost to Digital Pakistan Vision
The partnership directly supports Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan agenda by strengthening cyber resilience, developing skilled human capital and promoting secure digital growth. Experts say such institutional collaboration is key to protecting digital infrastructure as the country expands e-governance, fintech, cloud services and online public platforms.
Officials added that the MoU reflects National CERT’s broader strategy to foster meaningful partnerships that produce actionable research, enhance capacity building, and contribute to a secure, sustainable and globally competitive digital Pakistan.
