Islamabad, June 20, 2025: In a sweeping action to secure mobile networks and protect national data, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked over 163,000 illegal SIMs during an intensified countrywide crackdown on unregistered and fraudulently issued connections.
This operation, aimed at tackling identity theft and unauthorized SIM usage, is backed by robust enforcement protocols and the deployment of an advanced biometric SIM verification system. As per official data, the PTA has permanently deactivated more than 6.43 million inactive SIMs, signaling a deep cleanup across the telecom sector.
In a targeted move, the authority also blocked 171,000 SIMs registered to non-KP women in the Newly Merged Districts, and 2.98 million SIMs linked to deceased citizens’ CNICs were swiftly removed from the system. Additionally, 69,246 SIMs tied to cancelled CNICs and 783,011 SIMs connected to 360,717 expired CNICs were shut down as part of the anti-fraud initiative.
To dismantle illegal registration networks, the PTA launched 62 region-specific raids, leading to the arrest of 72 individuals. These raids yielded the confiscation of 193 unauthorized Biometric Verification devices, 11,470 physical SIMs, and a digital cache of 296,060 counterfeit fingerprints used to bypass verification systems.
To reinforce the registration process, the PTA has introduced a Multi-Finger Biometric System with 3-Factor Authentication, currently supported by 185,000 live ID verification devices across Pakistan. Furthermore, SIM issuance has now been restricted to authorized service centers only, eliminating access from retailers and curbing misuse.
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This bold SIM deactivation drive 2025 marks a new era of accountability and digital security in Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure, aligning with the PTA’s vision of a safer and more transparent mobile ecosystem.
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