Islamabad, October 12, 2023 – Pakistan has taken decisive action against the illegal issuance of mobile phone SIM cards to Afghan nationals.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal office in Peshawar, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle, conducted a raid targeting a mobile phone company franchisee located on Kohat Road in Peshawar.
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The raid uncovered that the franchisee and his team had been involved in the unlawful issuance of SIM cards to individuals presenting Afghan passports, according to a news release issued by the PTA. It was revealed that the franchisee was operated by an Afghan national, and the activated SIM cards were being sold to Afghan nationals for Rs 3,000 each.
During the operation, five laptops and eight mobile phones containing scanned passport data were seized. Additionally, five individuals were apprehended at the scene by FIA officials, who are now conducting further investigations into the matter.
The PTA had previously filed a complaint with the FIA based on information it received regarding the illegal issuance of SIM cards by this sales channel.
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This recent raid, the twelfth of its kind in the current year, underscores the PTA’s unwavering commitment to combat the illegal issuance of SIM cards, a practice that poses security risks and challenges to regulatory authorities. These actions demonstrate the PTA’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of the mobile telecommunications sector and ensuring compliance with established regulations.
