LAHORE: Around 57,000 illegally registered SIMs have been blocked between 2021 and 2025, according to a report submitted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) before the Lahore High Court (LHC).
PTA officials informed the court that additional measures are being implemented to further strengthen the verification process.
The report was presented during a hearing concerning the illegal registration of SIM cards. The LHC directed the PTA to ensure full enforcement of regulations related to illegally registered SIMs and to submit a comprehensive report.
During the proceedings, PTA Director Legal Muhammad Khurram and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Director Hishmat Kamal appeared before the court.
PTA’s legal director informed the bench that joint operations with the NCCIA had been launched against illegal SIMs. He added that three show-cause notices had been issued to individuals violating the policy, while Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biometric machines had also been developed.
NCCIA Director Hishmat Kamal told the court that 709 SIMs were activated overnight using a single mobile phone.
The court questioned whether any action had been recommended to the relevant authorities regarding the phone involved. Kamal responded that no written communication had been made yet, prompting the court to direct him to immediately notify the concerned authorities in writing.
The court further observed that any mobile phone or SIM used in criminal activities should be blocked without delay and instructed that telecom companies be provided with the rules and strictly bound to comply with them.
