PTA blocks 18.2 million SIMs in two years, fines cellular operators Rs4.5 billion over violations

According to Profit, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked about 18.2 million SIMs over roughly two and a half years and fined cellular operators Rs4.5 billion for violations. The figures reached a National Assembly panel on Thursday, which was reviewing the misuse of stolen biometric data and SIMs acquired illegally in cyber and finance-related offences.

NCCIA officials told the panel that one raid recovered fingerprints and biometric data of about 600,000 citizens. In Faisalabad, a detained person was carrying 195 active SIMs, 16 smartphones and 81 ATM cards linked to several banks. Officials also said cellular company employees had been involved in leaking customer data, citing a Rajanpur case in which a woman's thumb print, reportedly taken under the guise of ration distribution, was later used to get a SIM used in terrorism.

NCCIA wants stronger checks, such as facial and iris recognition, instant customer alerts for new SIMs, and better coordination among PTA, NADRA, banks, law enforcement and operators. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also raised a growing 'rent-a-bank-account' trend, in which people rent out their accounts to criminals for a share of the gains. The committee has directed the Interior Ministry, PTA and operators to resolve the matters and report back.