Illegal SIMs remained the focus of a nationwide crackdown as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked 1,838,689 SIM cards during the first seven months of 2026.
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The authority said the action forms part of its efforts to strengthen the security of Pakistan’s telecommunications network and prevent the misuse of mobile connections.
Thousands of Illegal SIMs Deactivated
According to the PTA, officials blocked 691,102 illegal SIMs between January and July 2026.
Moreover, the authority deactivated 903,230 SIMs registered against the national identity cards of deceased individuals.
The PTA said it took action after some users continued using these SIMs despite repeated warnings.
Expired CNIC SIMs Also Blocked
The authority also blocked 244,357 SIMs registered against cancelled or expired national identity cards.
Additionally, officials said the measure aims to improve the accuracy of subscriber records and strengthen digital security.
PTA Raids Recover Foreign SIMs
As part of its campaign against the illegal sale of foreign SIM cards, the PTA carried out 25 enforcement raids.
During the operations, officials recovered 8,051 foreign SIMs and arrested 37 suspects.
The PTA said it will continue enforcement actions to eliminate illegal SIM usage and enhance the security of Pakistan’s telecom sector.
