WASHINGTON: The Pakistan Embassy in the US on Wednesday acknowledged a cyber-attack, when an intruder entered their virtual space and posted obscene material during a virtual public meeting.

An E-Katchery, or virtual town hall, hosted by the mission on Monday, was disrupted by what officials termed a “cyber-attack”, which broadcast “offensive and obscene content that violated all norms of civility and decency,” the embassy said in a statement on X.

The embassy swiftly disconnected and resumed the meeting after removing the disruptor. The incident was explained to participants “who condemned the attack”, the embassy added. An investigation is currently underway.

The incident drew a mixed reaction from the Pakistani-American community, with a group representing supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan blaming Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh for failing to prevent the intrusion.

They cited the “failure to secure the virtual meeting, which led to the broadcast of pornographic material in front of women and youth,” and accused the Ambassador of avoiding tough questions about Pakistan’s human rights abuses and transnational repression.

However, the embassy’s statement emphasised that attempts to “politicise, abuse, and exploit” a forum meant solely to facilitate the diaspora, as well as deliberate efforts to distort facts, were deeply regrettable. “Such actions are counterproductive and should be avoided,” the embassy added, reaffirming its commitment to serving the Pakistani diaspora.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2024