The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched Pakistan’s first National Bug Bounty Challenge 2026, a nationwide cybersecurity initiative aimed at strengthening the security of the country’s digital identity systems.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT), seeks to improve the resilience of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure by encouraging responsible identification and reporting of system vulnerabilities. The programme targets students, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity professionals, reflecting the growing importance of secure digital identity services across the country.
According to officials, the competition is structured as a team-based challenge focused on advanced cybersecurity assessment in controlled environments. Participants are expected to follow internationally recognised principles of ethical hacking and responsible disclosure, ensuring that identified vulnerabilities are reported securely and addressed through institutional mechanisms.
Nationwide academic participation
The National Bug Bounty Challenge will be conducted in regional rounds starting January 27, 2026, at selected universities across Pakistan. Participating institutions include Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) in Swabi, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad, the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, and the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) in Quetta.
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Organisers said the multi-city format is intended to ensure broad participation from different regions and to identify emerging cybersecurity talent within Pakistan’s academic sector.
Strengthening digital identity security
NADRA officials said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance public trust in national digital identity systems by proactively testing their security frameworks. Bug bounty programmes are widely used internationally to identify potential risks before they can be exploited, and officials said the challenge aligns Pakistan’s cybersecurity practices with global standards.
The concluding ceremony of the National Bug Bounty Challenge 2026 will be held at NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad, with the date to be announced separately.
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