The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in a decisive collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, has successfully dismantled two significant illegal SIM issuance operations in Quetta and Gujrat.
These targeted operations represent a critical step in the PTA’s ongoing battle to maintain the integrity of Pakistan’s telecommunication infrastructure and uphold cybersecurity regulations nationwide.
These devices and systems are crucial to Pakistan’s SIM registration framework, designed to validate customer identities through biometric authentication. Misuse of such tools directly undermines national efforts to secure digital identities and curb cybercrime.
Illegal SIM Operation Busted in Quetta
Enforcement operation conducted in Quetta, PTA officials spearheaded a raid at a telecom franchise situated within the Engineering Building on Zarghoon Road. The FIA Cyber Crime Wing accompanied PTA representatives during the raid, resulting in the arrest of Mr. Usman Ahmed, the owner of the franchise.
The franchise was allegedly engaged in registering SIMs using fake or unauthorized Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs), bypassing the mandated security protocols.
In a parallel operation, the PTA Zonal Office in Lahore, working closely with the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) Gujranwala, launched a raid on another telecom franchise located on Bhimber Road in Gujrat.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that 433 SIMs had been registered using Sindh-based CNICs, out of which 57 SIMs were activated using a single BVS device — a clear violation of PTA’s rules governing biometric verification and issuance protocols.
Authorities suspect the involvement of larger networks potentially linked to fraudulent activities, including financial scams, impersonation, and criminal communications.
The PTA remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that Pakistan’s telecommunication networks are secure, reliable, and free from abuse. Illegal SIM issuance is a major national security concern, often serving as a gateway for cybercrime, digital fraud, and terrorist communication networks.
PTA’s Zero-Tolerance Approach Toward Illegal SIM Issuance
PTA has enforced strict guidelines under the Telecommunication Policy, which mandates real-time biometric verification for every SIM issued in Pakistan. The use of fake or unauthorized CNICs not only violates these regulations but also poses serious risks to public safety and national digital infrastructure.
The PTA’s collaboration with the FIA Cyber Crime Wing underscores the critical need for inter-agency cooperation in combating cyber threats. The FIA has been instrumental in tracking, raiding, and dismantling digital fraud networks operating under the guise of legitimate telecom franchises.
Telecom operators across Pakistan are now under increased scrutiny, as PTA ramps up enforcement measures to ensure full compliance with SIM issuance protocols. Franchisees found violating PTA regulations face severe penalties, including license suspension, hefty fines, and potential criminal charges.
By pooling their resources, both agencies have demonstrated their capability to act decisively against illegal SIM rackets and protect citizen data from unauthorized exploitation.
The successful raids in Quetta and Gujrat mark a significant victory in Pakistan’s ongoing effort to build a safe, transparent, and secure digital ecosystem. Illegal SIM issuance not only threatens the individual rights of Pakistani citizens but also hampers national security and economic development.
