PTA in collaboration with FIA Cyber Crime Wing, has executed a series of successful crackdowns on unauthorized SIM issuance operations in the cities of Quetta and Gujrat. The operations, conducted on April 15, 2025, underscore the authorities’ determination to reinforce digital security and curb fraudulent telecom practices across the country.
The first raid took place in Quetta, where PTA, alongside FIA personnel, targeted an Ufone franchise situated in the Engineering Building on Zarghoon Road. Acting on intelligence regarding unlawful SIM issuance, the FIA team arrested the franchise owner, Mr. Usman Ahmed, on the spot. During the operation, officials confiscated key equipment used in bypassing telecom regulations, including biometric verification system (BVS) devices, desktop computers, and a substantial cache of unauthorized SIM cards. These devices and materials were being used to issue SIMs without proper verification, posing a significant threat to national security and consumer data privacy.
Simultaneously, another operation was carried out by PTA’s Zonal Office in Lahore in coordination with FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC) based in Gujranwala. This raid followed a complaint lodged by a Karachi resident, which led investigators to a Zong franchise on Bhimber Road in Gujrat. The raid exposed widespread misuse of the biometric verification process, revealing the illegal issuance of 433 SIM cards against Sindh-based CNICs. Startlingly, 57 of these SIMs had been activated using a single BVS device, indicating a deliberate attempt to circumvent established verification protocols. The franchise owner responsible for these activities was also apprehended at the site.
These actions by PTA and FIA reflect a broader and ongoing campaign to uphold the integrity of Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure. Illegal SIM issuance has long been a source of concern for law enforcement agencies due to its potential linkage with financial fraud, identity theft, and other cybercrimes. The use of biometric verification systems was initially introduced to prevent such activities, but recent cases reveal that fraudulent operators are continuously attempting to exploit loopholes in the system.
PTA reiterated its unwavering commitment to eradicating such illegal practices and safeguarding telecom users. In a statement, the authority emphasized that it is closely working with law enforcement bodies to eliminate these threats and protect the interests of legitimate consumers. PTA also assured the public that stringent action will continue against those involved in fraudulent telecom activities, reinforcing digital safety measures across the country. The raids in Quetta and Gujrat are part of a larger effort to clamp down on illicit telecom operations and demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative enforcement between PTA and FIA. As the digital ecosystem in Pakistan continues to grow, regulatory bodies are stepping up vigilance to ensure that technological advancements are not undermined by criminal exploitation.
