The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), has intensified its campaign against Illegal SIM activations in Karachi. The action was taken after a complaint was filed by PTA’s Zonal Office.
NCCIA teams raided a telecom franchise in Al Falah Society, Shah Faisal Colony. During the raid, authorities seized suspicious devices and arrested three individuals, including the franchise owner and manager. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is in progress.
Officials said this operation is part of a broader nationwide effort to curb Illegal SIM activities, which have been linked to phishing, financial scams, and grey-telecom operations. Such practices are often used by fraud networks to exploit innocent citizens, including welfare beneficiaries.
The Karachi crackdown follows a series of similar raids earlier this year. In July, PTA and NCCIA dismantled groups engaged in unauthorized SIM issuance. Several biometric devices and stolen data records were seized during those operations. According to officials, these cases highlight the growing threat of Illegal SIM usage in Pakistan.
Authorities stressed that strict enforcement will continue against outlets violating the country’s biometric verification and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. PTA urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the designated helplines.
Telecom experts say tackling illegal activations is crucial to improving network security and reducing cybercrime risks. They added that such measures will help restore trust in Pakistan’s digital and telecom systems.
Officials confirmed that further updates on the Karachi investigation will be shared soon, as enforcement actions expand to other regions across the country.
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