The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, has intensified its campaign against digital fraud and unauthorized SIM issuance through targeted raids in Quetta and Gujrat. These operations are part of a broader effort to curb cybercrime and safeguard national telecommunications infrastructure.
In Quetta, a telecom franchise operating within the Engineering Building on Zarghoon Road was raided based on intelligence reports indicating involvement in illegal SIM issuance. Authorities arrested the franchise owner, Usman Ahmed, and confiscated key materials including desktop computers, biometric verification system (BVS) devices, and a large quantity of SIM cards suspected of being issued without proper authorization.
Meanwhile, in Gujrat, a joint operation by PTA’s Zonal Office Lahore and FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) Gujranwala was carried out at a franchise on Bhimber Road. This raid followed a complaint lodged by a Karachi resident who discovered irregular activity involving their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) data.
Investigations revealed that 433 SIM cards had been illegally issued using Sindh-based CNICs, a blatant violation of PTA’s biometric verification requirements. Alarmingly, 57 SIMs had been activated using only one BVS device, suggesting a sophisticated method of bypassing security checks and manipulating the SIM registration system.
Both franchise owners are now in custody, with authorities investigating a potentially widespread network of SIM fraud extending across multiple provinces. These developments have raised concerns about data security and the risks of identity theft for ordinary citizens.
The PTA has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers and upholding strict regulatory standards. Citizens are urged to verify their SIM ownership by sending their CNIC number to 668 or checking through the official PTA website. This step is crucial to detect and report unauthorized SIMs that may be linked to criminal activities or fraud.
The PTA has also issued a strong warning to telecom franchises and service providers: non-compliance with biometric verification protocols and issuance of SIMs without proper authorization will result in severe legal consequences under both telecommunication regulations and cybercrime laws.
