The federal government has announced a plan to regulate all call centres through a formal licensing framework, prompted by the sharp increase in digital financial fraud nationwide.
As per sources, all call centres in Pakistan will now be required to obtain official licenses. This new policy aims to crack down on scams carried out via unregistered or unregulated call centres.
Three federal bodies — the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and an unnamed intelligence agency — will jointly manage the approval process for issuing licenses.
The NCCIA’s ongoing anti-fraud campaign, Operation Grey, will now extend nationwide, with a focus on identifying and shutting down shady call centres involved in digital fraud networks.
Authorities say this move is part of a broader initiative to enhance Pakistan’s cybercrime response and dismantle criminal networks that deceive the public through fake investment schemes.
Recent actions have already disrupted several Ponzi schemes and exposed major players behind these operations.
In a recent raid, the NCCIA stormed a fake call centre in Islamabad’s G-10 sector, arresting over 65 people — including five foreign nationals.
Officials also recovered records detailing the centre’s illegal operations. The arrested group included both Pakistani men and women running the fraudulent business.
The agency’s spokesperson confirmed that further legal steps are underway against those who supported and provided shelter to the suspects.
Read more: Operation Grey: NCCIA Cracks Down on Cyber Fraud Networks, 93 Arrested
