ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Gilgit, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, conducted a operation against the illegal sale of international SIM cards.
According a news release the targeted raid took place in Danyore, Gilgit, leading to the recovery of six UK SIM cards and the arrest of two individuals involved in the illicit trade.The FIA has initiated a thorough investigation to dismantle the broader network facilitating the illegal distribution of foreign SIM cards.
This operation is part of PTA’s ongoing commitment to curbing unauthorized SIM sales, which pose significant security risks.PTA urged the public to report any such illegal activities to help maintain a secure and regulated digital environment.
These actions underscore the Authority’s dedication to ensuring compliance with telecom regulations and protecting consumers from potential misuse of illegally obtained SIM cards.
Meanwhile, PTA has intensified its crackdown on digital fraud through coordinated raids with the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, targeting unauthorized SIM card operations in Quetta and Gujrat.
In Quetta, authorities raided a telecom franchise located in the Engineering Building on Zarghoon Road after receiving intelligence about illegal SIM issuance activities. The operation led to the arrest of franchise owner Usman Ahmed and the seizure of critical evidence including desktop computers, biometric verification system (BVS) devices, and numerous SIM cards used in unauthorized transactions.
A separate operation conducted by PTA’s Zonal Office Lahore and FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) Gujranwala targeted a telecom franchise on Bhimber Road in Gujrat. This raid resulted from a complaint filed by a Karachi resident who had discovered irregularities related to their identification documents.
During the Gujrat investigation, authorities uncovered that 433 SIM cards had been fraudulently issued using Sindh-based Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). More alarmingly, investigators determined that 57 of these SIMs had been activated using just a single biometric verification device, indicating systematic circumvention of security protocols.
Both franchise owners were taken into custody as authorities continue their investigation into what appears to be a widespread network of illegal SIM operations spanning multiple provinces.
The PTA has urged citizens to verify their mobile SIM ownership status regularly through the official PTA website or by sending their CNIC number to 668. This verification helps identify unauthorized SIMs that may have been registered without the CNIC holder’s knowledge or consent.
Authorities have warned that telecom franchises found violating regulations regarding proper biometric verification before SIM issuance will face severe penalties under relevant telecommunications laws and cybercrime statutes.
