Tech Desk 
Mar 25, 2025
As part of its efforts to curb illegal activities carried out through mobile phones, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle have been apprehending individuals and groups involved in trading illegal SIM issuance.
Both the federal authorities in its recent, jointly conducted raid busted an illegal SIM-selling franchise operating in Mianwali, Lahore.
According to ProPakistani, the franchise was involved in the illegal issuance of SIM cards across Pakistan.
During the raid, the regulatory bodies confiscated 496 digital fingerprint impressions (single impressions), Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices, two scanners, and a laptop from the franchise with a vast network of illicit SIM trade.
Besides the seizure of the aforementioned items, the franchise owner was also arrested with an FIR registered against him and his accomplices to proceed with legal action.
The cybercrime wing of the FIA has launched an operation to identify and capture other offenders involved in such unlawful activities.
These operations are part of the significant strides PTA has been making to curtail the evasion of the Multi-Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS).
