Pakistan blocks 18.2 million SIMs amid rising biometric fraud

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked approximately 18.2 million SIM cards over the last two and a half years. During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, authorities also reported that cellular operators have been fined a combined Rs4.5 billion for various regulatory violations.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) highlighted the growing misuse of citizens’ biometric information in criminal activities. In one instance, biometric data belonging to nearly 600,000 individuals was recovered during a single raid. Officials expressed concern regarding the exploitation of thumb impressions for fraudulent SIM registration and financial crimes, noting that some telecom personnel may have supplied customer information to unauthorized parties.

In response to these security gaps, the parliamentary committee called for stronger safeguards and enhanced verification technologies, such as facial and iris recognition. The committee directed the PTA, banks, and law enforcement agencies to coordinate more closely to curb cyber fraud, protect biometric data, and implement immediate alert systems for customers when new SIM cards are issued in their names.