Islamabad, 11 Oct 2023:In a collaborative operation aimed at curbing the unlawful issuance of SIM cards, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal office in Peshawar and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle have successfully executed a raid against a mobile phone company franchisee situated on Kohat Road, Peshawar. The franchisee is accused of being involved in the illicit issuance of SIMs using Afghan passports, according to a press release from the PTA.

The franchisee, purportedly operated by an Afghan national, was allegedly engaging in the illicit sale of activated SIMs to Afghan nationals at a rate of Rs. 3000 each. The PTA, having lodged a complaint with the FIA based on initial information regarding the unauthorized SIM issuance by the sales channel, worked in tandem with the agency to perform the raid, which marks the twelfth of its kind carried out in the current year.

During the operation, five laptops and eight mobile phones containing scanned passport data were confiscated, and five individuals on the premises were apprehended by the FIA. Further investigations into the matter are presently being conducted by the agency, exploring additional avenues and potential connections related to the illegal SIM issuance.

This action underscores PTA’s ongoing commitment to eradicating the unlawful issuance of SIM cards and maintaining the integrity of telecommunications within the nation.