Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal SIM card distributions, conducting multiple raids in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Kot Momin, Kohat, and Hangu. These operations targeted franchisees of major telecom providers, including Telenor, Jazz, Ufone, and CMPak, due to their involvement in unlawful activities.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the coordinated efforts by PTA Zonal Offices in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), led to significant seizures and arrests. Authorities confiscated 4 laptops, 1 PC, 12 biometric verification system (BVS) devices, numerous active SIM cards, mobile phones, hard disks, original CNICs along with photocopies, and soft copies of Afghan passports and POR cards during the raids.

Fifteen individuals employed at the implicated franchisees were arrested on the spot, and formal charges have been filed, highlighting the ongoing commitment to curbing telecom-related crimes such as fraud and identity theft. The PTA had previously lodged complaints with the FIA, triggering these actions based on detailed intelligence about the illegal distribution channels. The FIA continues to investigate the scope and network of these operations.