ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have launched a countrywide crackdown against individuals and businesses involved in the illegal sale of pre-activated foreign SIM cards.
According to a PTA statement, the coordinated raids are part of the ongoing efforts to curb telecom fraud and safeguard national security. The authorities seized illegal SIM cards used for fraud and crime and arrested several suspects in different parts of the country.
It further said that the operations were carried out in cities, including Peshawar, Lahore, Abbottabad, Skardu and Sialkot.
According to the officials, these individuals were engaged in the unauthorized sale and distribution of foreign SIM cards, which were reportedly being used for unverified communications, fraudulent activities and other criminal acts.
FIA and PTA have said that the unauthorized sale of such SIMs facilitates untraceable and anonymous communications that poses a serious threat to public security.
Illegal trade of SIM cards
The state agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring and preventing the illegal trade of SIM cards and also warned that strict action will continue against those violating telecom regulations.
The PTA in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency Cyber Crime Wing successfully conducts raids targeting the illegal issuance of SIMs. Such operations are aimed to curb issuance of illegal SIMs, often linked to criminal activities such as fraud, identity theft and other illicit operations.
It is pertinent to mention that PTA has established a sophisticated monitoring and detection system designed to identify unusual patterns and anomalies related to SIM card activation.
This technological advancement enables prompt intervention and provides valuable insights into suspicious SIM activation trends. Such crackdowns also underscore the authorities’ dedication for eradicating the menace.
According to the officials, fake SIM cards are used in various illegal activities, including financial fraud and terrorism. PTA uses data obtained from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to identify and block illegal SIMs.
