Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 163,200 SIMs that were found to be illegally issued or registered, as part of a nationwide campaign to clean up mobile network records and combat misuse of mobile connections. The enforcement initiative is focused on preventing fraud, identity theft, and the criminal exploitation of unverified SIM cards. The operation combines advanced biometric systems with strict oversight measures to address gaps in mobile identity verification across the country.
Official data released by PTA reveals the depth and scale of the crackdown. Over 6.43 million inactive SIMs have been permanently removed from the system. In addition, 171,000 SIMs registered to non-KP women in the Newly Merged Districts were blocked after being identified as irregular registrations. A further 2.98 million SIMs associated with deceased individuals’ CNICs were deactivated. These actions highlight efforts to ensure mobile records are tied to valid and living individuals, reducing the risk of misuse.
PTA also identified and blocked 69,246 SIMs linked to cancelled CNICs and another 783,011 SIMs associated with 360,717 expired CNICs. These numbers reflect a consistent push to eliminate inconsistencies and ensure that all SIMs in circulation are legally registered with active identification documents.
To support these efforts on the ground, PTA enforcement teams carried out 62 targeted raids across multiple regions. These operations resulted in the arrest of 72 individuals allegedly connected to illegal SIM registration networks. During the raids, officials seized 193 unauthorized Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices, 11,470 physical SIM cards, and a digital collection of 296,060 fake fingerprints. These assets were being used to bypass standard biometric protocols, posing a serious threat to telecom security and user data integrity.
In response, PTA has enhanced its SIM registration processes by deploying a Multi-Finger Biometric Verification System. This system, backed by a 3-Factor Authentication model, is now operational nationwide through a network of 185,000 live finger identification devices. The goal is to strengthen identity verification and eliminate loopholes that enable illegal SIM issuance.
Further tightening operational controls, PTA has imposed a mandatory buffer time between SIM sales to prevent rapid unauthorized activations. In addition, the issuance of SIMs has been strictly limited to official service centers and authorized franchises, cutting off unregulated third-party retailers from participating in the registration process.
These steps are part of PTA’s sustained effort to secure Pakistan’s mobile infrastructure, uphold user privacy, and ensure telecom services are not exploited for illegal purposes. Through a combination of technological upgrades and enforcement actions, the authority aims to maintain a cleaner, more accountable mobile ecosystem.
