A banner inscribed with the slogan of "Go Nawaz Go" appeared on the official website of the Met Office on Saturday, but its officials seemed to have been unaware of it. As the cyber attack blocked a key section of Met office's website that provides advisories to farmers on weather, seasonal cultivations and crops protection, it gave an impression as if it was a politically-motivated act against the premier's farmers' package.
"I am unaware of hacking of the website. However, we will try to get the banner removed immediately," senior private secretary to Met Office's director general, Muhammad Amjad, told Business Recorder on Saturday. The banner that carries "Go Nawaz Go" slogan with PM Nawaz Sharif's animated caricature in a black background was claimed to have been hacked by "Hunter Gujjar, a team of Pakistan cyber attackers". The other slogans put up on the website include "Jago Pakistanio" and "Pakistan Zindabad".
The Met Office's official said that the issue would be referred to the concerned IT department for its resolution. Later, he told Business Recorder that "the website's page carrying the banner has been `dismantled' on the server and a probe into the matter has been ordered." With regard to the farmers' advisory page, he said it would be restored soon. However, Flood Forecasting Division's chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said it is wrong to say that it was a cyber attack. "It might be the work of an individual," he opined.