Pakistan News Channels Hacked with Anti-Military Messages: Cyber Attack Exposes Vulnerabilities
Coordinated Cyberattack Hits Major Pakistani News Channels
A sophisticated cyberattack targeted several prominent Pakistani news channels, including Geo News, ARY News, and Samaa TV, on March 1, 2026. The hackers successfully took control of the live satellite feeds, broadcasting unauthorized messages critical of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
The Attack
The attack occurred during the evening, shortly after Iftar, and continued into the prime-time 9 pm news bulletins, when the channels typically experience their highest viewership. The hackers displayed text messages on the channels’ screens, urging citizens to stand up against the military, which they claimed was responsible for the country’s destruction.
Response to the Attack
Geo News, one of the affected channels, reported that it had been fighting off hacking attempts for nearly 24 hours before the attackers finally breached their systems. The channel’s Managing Editor, Azhar Abbas, clarified that the malicious messages were the work of external elements and not related to Geo News.
The attack is believed to be a coordinated effort, with some initial reports suggesting an Afghan hacker might be involved. However, the scale of the breach suggests a more complex operation. Pakistani media reports indicate that the hackers managed to take control of the satellite beams and live feeds, displaying anti-military messages.
According to Geo News’ Managing Editor, Azhar Abbas, the malicious messages were the work of external elements and not related to Geo News.
Retaliation and Investigation
In response to the attack, Pakistan allegedly launched its own cyberattacks, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. A group calling itself the Pakistan Cyber Force claimed responsibility for hacking the Indian channel ABP News and the Food Odisha website, using the live feed to broadcast speeches from the Pakistani Army Chief.
The original attack on Pakistani media also affected websites in 19 different countries, where hackers allegedly ran unauthorized Google advertisement campaigns. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the perpetrators and prevent future attacks.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the increasing threat of cyberattacks on media organizations and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such breaches.
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