The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 5,294 mobile phones involved in illegal and fraudulent activities during 2023-24.
In addition, the authority has blocked 4,507 International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers associated with unlawful use. The crackdown also included blacklisting 113 national ID cards and issuing warnings to 19,730 mobile numbers found to be involved in various illegal activities.
SIMs involved in illegal activities are reported to the PTA under different categories. In matters related to national security, the blocking of SIMs is conducted under directives from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), Directorate General ISI, and Signals Directorate GHQ. Following a directive from the MoI dated July 25, 2023, the PTA blocked 465 SIMs identified as being used by criminals in the “Kacha” areas of Sindh, particularly in the districts of Shikarpur and Ghotki.
The PTA has also launched a phased approach to curb the illegal use of mobile phone SIMs across the country. In the first phase, which began on August 16, 2024, SIMs registered with fake credentials or canceled ID cards were targeted for deactivation.
The second phase, which started on September 2, 2024, focuses on blocking SIMs linked to expired ID cards. The third phase will target the deactivation of SIMs registered under the names of deceased individuals.
According to the PTA, the illegal use of mobile phone SIMs, often associated with various unlawful activities, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Follow ProPakistani on Google News & scroll through your favourite content faster!
Support independent journalism
If you want to join us in our mission to share independent, global journalism to the world, we’d love to have you on our side. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
What is this so-called ‘national security? Who determines what action is in favour and what is against the national security? Does criticising a certain person or department become a breach of the national security? This is pride, arrogance and self-worship.
unilateral decisions from asim munir behind khujli.