The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has intensified its efforts against illegal SIM issuance, conducting a major raid on a Zong franchise in Sheikhupura.
The operation, carried out on December 10, 2025, was executed by the PTA Zonal Office Lahore in close coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore, marking another key step in the nationwide crackdown against unauthorized SIM activations.
The raid was initiated after a female citizen reported repeated misuse of her CNIC, which was allegedly used multiple times to activate SIMs without consent. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the PTA team—together with cybercrime officials—raided the franchise suspected of violating biometric verification and SIM registration protocols.
During the operation, authorities seized two mobile phones, one laptop, five Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices, and 150 SIMs believed to have been issued illegally. The PTA confirmed that two individuals, including the franchise owner and a Zong employee, were arrested. An FIR has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the illegal activity.
PTA stressed that unauthorized SIM issuance poses serious threats to user privacy and national security, as fraudsters frequently exploit illegally registered SIMs for criminal activities. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to preventing BVS misuse and ensuring strict compliance among telecom operators and their franchises.
Citizens are encouraged to help combat the issue by reporting any unauthorized SIMs registered against their CNIC. Complaints can be filed through PTA’s helpline 0800-55055 or via the online portal at https://complaint.pta.gov.pk/userlogin.aspx.
As PTA continues strengthening oversight and enforcement measures, the authority warns that strict legal action will be taken against any franchise or employee found violating SIM issuance regulations. The latest raid underscores PTA’s determination to protect digital identity security and maintain transparency in Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem.