Islamabad, Sep 12: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA Blocks 465 Mobile SIM cards that dacoits use in the Katcha regions of Sindh, which include the districts of Shikarpur and Ghotki, according to testimony given to the Senate on Thursday by Ms. Shaza Fatima, the minister of state for information technology and telecommunication.
In response to a question posed by Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan in the House, she stated that the Ministry of Interior, Directorate General of Inter Services Intelligence, and Signals Directorate of General Headquarters had ordered the blocking of cell phones/SIMs, IMEls, and CNICs (Computerized National Identity Cards).
According to the ministry, in 2023–2024, 5,294 mobile numbers (SIMs), 4507 IMEls, and 113 CNICs were blocked and placed on a blacklist, while 19,730 numbers received warning warnings about fraudulent communication.
Shaza Fatima went on to say that security concerns had led to the blocking of mobile service in several parts of Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. She stated that the government was committed to enhancing cyber security measures and that grey traffic from outside Pakistan has decreased by up to 90%.
