Islamabad (GNP): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Lahore has lodged a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore against individuals suspected of trading in confidential telecom subscriber information without authorisation. The data allegedly being sold included Call Detail Records (CDRs), subscriber profiles, location data, and IMEI records.
Following up on the complaint, NCCIA conducted an enforcement operation and detained three suspects. Items recovered during the operation included five mobile phones, eight Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices, and 43 suspicious SIM cards.
Forensic analysis of the confiscated devices uncovered WhatsApp conversations tied to the unauthorised trade of subscriber data, along with CDR files, IMEI and subscriber information, fingerprint and CNIC records, and traces of financial transactions connected to the illegal operation.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the case, and investigations are continuing. PTA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the privacy of telecom subscribers and pledged to maintain close coordination with law enforcement agencies to stamp out such unlawful activity.
In a separate development, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Major General (Retd) Shahzada Alam Malik, convened a meeting with representatives of all Cellular Mobile Telephone Operators (CMTOs) in Islamabad and issued firm directives to ensure proper documentation of customers before new mobile connections are issued.
Malik pointed out that standard procedures for collecting customer information prior to SIM issuance have not been consistently followed. He said the Authority has received multiple complaints on this matter and made clear that the situation is no longer acceptable.
He instructed CMTO representatives to make it mandatory for customers to provide a copy of their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) at the point of SIM issuance, and to maintain electronic records of each subscriber’s details as provided in the customer agreement form.
The Chairman left no room for ambiguity, stating that this policy would take effect immediately and that any franchise found to be in breach would face severe consequences. He informed the operators that PTA inspection teams would begin visiting franchises of all cellular companies across the country from the start of July to verify compliance with the new directives.
Any franchise caught issuing SIMs without obtaining a CNIC copy — along with the corresponding SIM number — would face immediate sealing of its premises and further action including possible cancellation of its franchise licence.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
