Mobile SIMs data leak reports have prompted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take swift action, ordering an inquiry into the matter. The Interior Ministry confirmed on Sunday that a special investigation team has been formed under the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency.
According to the ministry, the investigators will carefully review the circumstances behind the data breach. Those responsible will be identified and strict legal measures will be taken.
Media outlets reported that the personal information of all SIM holders was sold at Google. The leaked data included mobile location details sold for Rs. 500, call records for Rs. 2,000, and travel histories for Rs. 5,000.
Earlier, the Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PKCERT) had already warned of a massive data breach, affecting over 180 million Pakistani internet users. Their advisory revealed, “The breach exposed usernames, passwords, emails and associated URLs tied to major social media services, as well as government portals, banking institutions and healthcare platforms worldwide.”
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The advisory cautioned that such leaks could lead to account hacking, identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
This is not the first time Pakistan has faced a major data breach. In March 2024, a Joint Investigation Team reported that the credentials of 2.7 million citizens had been compromised between 2019 and 2023 in a leak from NADRA.
