Illegal SIM Card Trade Exposed in PTA and FIA Raids Across Islamabad and KPK

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, has successfully raided illegal SIM card sellers in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

The operation was directed at telecom franchisees in Barakahu, Islamabad, and Shinkiari, District Mansehra. These franchisees were discovered to be involved in the illicit issuance of SIM cards by fraudulently obtaining fingerprints from underprivileged women in the Orakzai Agency.

In the operation that took place in Barakahu, authorities seized six biometric verification systems (BVS devices, eight activated SIMs, 200 unconfirmed SIMs, two computers and digital fingerprints. The operation also yielded six mobile phones and several original Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). Three individuals were arrested, and a First Information Report (FIR)  was filed with the police against them.

The raid in Shinkiari resulted in the confiscation of seven BVS devices, one activated SIM card, 300 suspected SIM cards and a compromised BVS device. Moreover, several CNICs and mobile phones were also recovered. One suspect was arrested and an FIR was lodged.

Following these actions, PTA had made complaints to the FIA about the illegal activities and highlight ongoing efforts to combat unlawful SIM card distribution, which poses a significant security risk in the country.