ISLAMABAD: Hackers defaced part of the official website of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) — also known as the Met Office — on Saturday.

The `Farmers’ Weather’ section of the website appeared to be the primary target of the hackers, who also posted political slogans on the landing page. In addition, the ‘Daily Weather Report’ feature on the website was also inoperative on Saturday.

The hacker or hackers, identifying themselves as ‘Hunter Gujjar — Team Pak Cyber Activists’, posted the popular Pakistan Tehreek- Insaf slogan “Go Nawaz Go” on the website and left the mes­sage, “Pakistan Zin­dabad — Jago Pakistanio” (Long Live Pakistan — Wake up Pakistanis).

The PMD functions under the Aviation Division of the Cabinet Secretariat, which is headed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shujaat Azeem.

PMD Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Hanif told Dawn that hacking was an illegal act and a formal complaint had been lodged with the website operator.

“Our website operator is a government agency and they are working to mend the damage, but we have officially warned them their contract would be terminated if security measures were not placed to avoid such attacks in the future,” Dr Hanif said.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.