The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched its first-ever Bug Bounty Challenge for 2026. The competition offers attractive prizes for top performers and aims to strengthen cybersecurity in Pakistan.
The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the National Cyber Emergency Response Team. It focuses on responsible vulnerability identification and advanced cybersecurity assessment.
The Bug Bounty Challenge is designed to nurture emerging talent, promote ethical hacking practices, and improve public confidence in national digital identity systems. Participants include students, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity professionals from selected universities and NADRA partner institutions.
Regional rounds of the Bug Bounty Challenge will start on January 27, 2026, at major universities, including GIKI Swabi, NUST Islamabad, UET Lahore, NED University Karachi, and BUITEMS Quetta. Winners from these rounds will advance to the final ceremony at NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad. The date of the final event will be announced later.
NADRA clarified that the competition is team-based and exclusive to participating universities and partner organizations. Ordinary citizens cannot enter, but students and professionals will gain practical experience in cybersecurity while competing for rewards.
Officials highlighted that the initiative is part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure and promote ethical cyber practices. The challenge will help identify vulnerabilities in digital systems in a controlled and responsible manner.
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi inaugurated a new NADRA registration centre in Dargai, Malakand. The facility, located near Dir–Malakand Road, has three counters for female applicants, five counters for male applicants, and a dedicated passport processing counter.
The Bug Bounty Challenge reflects NADRA’s commitment to enhancing digital security and encouraging innovation in Pakistan’s cybersecurity landscape. It is expected to attract talented teams from across the country and foster a culture of ethical hacking.
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