MS Thesis Defense, Arhama Mazhar 

Title: Fostering Digital Trust in Pakistan’s E[1] Government Services: A Cybersecurity Approach
MS Thesis Defense: Arhama Mazhar, Student of MS Computer Science, IBA Karachi
Advisor: Dr. Faisal Iradat
External Examiners: Dr. Muhammad Waseem (Sultan Qaboos University) | Dr. Yawar Abbas (Sunway University)
Date:   January 27, 2026 at 12:30PM
Venue: Tabba Conference Room, Tabba Academic Block, Second Floor [North Wing], Main Campus, IBA Karachi

Abstract
Trust has always been a central feature of social life, and it forms the basis of our interactions with people, institutions, and even governments. In the modern world, the use of e-government services significantly impacts government-to-citizen interactions, highlighting the importance of understanding the factors that influence their adoption and success. There are two main aspects of the present thesis. First, it provides a systematic review, guided by the PRISMA framework, which examines 20 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2023 to explore the key factors affecting the acceptance of e[1]government services in Pakistan. The identified factors are grouped into four main categories: policy and governance, technology and infrastructure, security and privacy, and digital trust. The findings show that these categories are closely interlinked, with digital trust appearing as a recurring concern. The second aspect involves sequential mixed[1]methods. In the first phase, qualitative interviews were conducted with cybersecurity experts and senior IT officials from public and private institutions to identify key factors affecting digital trust. The insights from this phase informed the development of a digital trust framework. In the second phase, a quantitative questionnaire was administered to evaluate the relationship between cybersecurity dimensions, digital trust, and behavioral intention to adopt e-government services. This thesis contributes theoretically by refining the conceptualization of digital trust in e-government and practically by providing a cybersecurity-focused framework to guide policymakers and IT practitioners in enhancing trust and promoting the adoption of digital public services in Pakistan.