The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has imposed a combined fine of Rs740 million on the country’s mobile network operators for issuing SIM cards without the knowledge or consent of citizens. The action was taken after investigations revealed that SIMs had been activated against individuals’ Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) numbers without their authorization.
According to the PTA, all four mobile operators were found responsible for serious violations related to the SIM registration process. The regulator stated that the companies failed to maintain proper oversight of their franchise operations and biometric verification systems, allowing unauthorized SIM issuance to occur.
The authority has instructed all mobile companies to deposit the imposed fines within the specified deadline. It also warned that legal proceedings could be initiated against any operator that fails to comply with the payment instructions.
The PTA further clarified that mobile operators will be held accountable for any violations committed by their franchises. It emphasized that responsibility for ensuring compliance with SIM registration rules lies with the parent telecom company, regardless of where the violation occurs.
The telecom regulator noted that the illegal issuance of SIM cards poses serious security risks, including identity theft, cybercrime, financial fraud, and other unlawful activities. It stressed that strict enforcement of regulations is necessary to safeguard consumers and strengthen Pakistan’s telecommunications sector.
Separately, the PTA recently announced a scheduled upgrade of its network infrastructure that could temporarily affect mobile device registration services. The maintenance activity was carried out from 5:00 pm on June 24 until 6:00 am on June 25 to improve network security, system stability, and overall performance.
During the upgrade, the Mobile Device Registration System (MDRS) experienced temporary interruptions, although the authority said its technical teams closely monitored the process to minimize inconvenience for users. The PTA confirmed that all services would return to normal once the maintenance work was completed, reaffirming its commitment to providing secure and reliable telecom services across Pakistan.
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