ISLAMABAD (August 28, 2025): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has once again cautioned citizens against buying or selling foreign SIM cards, warning that those involved in such activities could face serious legal consequences.
The telecom regulator emphasized that trading foreign SIMs is strictly prohibited under Pakistani law, and violators risk facing heavy penalties. Officials warned that this illegal practice not only undermines the country’s communication regulations but also puts individuals’ personal information at grave risk.
According to PTA, criminal networks have been found misusing stolen identity data to activate SIM cards under unsuspecting citizens’ names. These illegally obtained SIMs are then linked to fraudulent schemes, scams, and in some cases, even terrorist activities.
To help protect the public, the PTA has introduced simple methods to verify SIMs registered under one’s name. Citizens can check their records by visiting cnic.sims.pk or by sending their CNIC number via SMS to 668. Any unauthorized or inactive SIMs should be blocked immediately.
The authority has also urged people to purchase new SIMs only through authorized outlets, customer service centers, and official franchisees of telecom companies, ensuring that all legal requirements are fulfilled during the process.
By staying vigilant, officials stressed, citizens can safeguard themselves against identity theft, financial fraud, and legal troubles linked to the misuse of illegal SIM cards..
