Momina Iqbal sets alarm bells ringing after WhatsApp hack

ISLAMABAD: Momina Iqbal has strongly criticszed what she described as ‘negligence’ on the part of authorities and law enforcement agencies in tackling phone-hacking mafias.

She questioned why such gangs continue to operate with impunity despite the presence of specialized security institutions.
“Even if our government and agencies are asleep, if someone dares to enter my personal space or does this to any girl, I promise I will not stay silent,” she declared.

Her remarks reflect growing frustration over the state of digital safety in Pakistan.

“If the government is asleep and the daughters and sisters of this country aren’t safe, then what is the point of building these forces all these years? What are they here for?” she asked.

Her comments come at a time when complaints related to online harassment, hacking, and digital blackmail are on the rise.
Although the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing has urged citizens to remain vigilant against suspicious links and unauthorised logins, cases of hacking continue to surface.

For celebrities like Momina Iqbal, the issue goes beyond personal inconvenience. It highlights systemic loopholes that leave ordinary citizens, especially women, vulnerable to harassment, exploitation, and digital violence.

She emphasized that digital security must be treated as seriously as physical safety. “As a citizen, I have the right to protect myself and speak up,” she added.

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Her message adds to a growing chorus of voices calling on the government to strengthen its cybercrime policies and enforcement mechanisms.

Just a few days ago, veteran actress Asma Abbas complained that her WhatsApp account had been hacked, with messages asking for money sent to many people in her contact list.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a video explaining how her account was compromised and apologised to everyone who received the fraudulent messages.

She expressed sadness that such incidents have become alarmingly common in the country.
She recalled receiving a call from someone claiming to be delivering a parcel. Believing it was from her daughter Zara Noor Abbas, she provided a code the caller requested, which she assumed was related to the delivery. Soon after, her WhatsApp account was disabled.
The actress reassured her followers that she was safe and did not need money, but regretted the inconvenience caused to those who received the scam messages.

Her sister, senior actress Bushra Ansari, also shared a warning on Instagram, posting a screenshot of a fraudulent conversation from the hacked account.

She urged people not to trust any suspicious messages sent from Asma’s number.