Islamabad (17th February 2024): Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Offices in Sukkur, Lahore, and Faislabad collaborated with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct several raids against franchises involved in illegal activation of SIMs and illegal ISPs.

56 suspicious SIMs were confiscated in the Sukkar raid, and during the raid in Kasur, 26 active SIMs were confiscated. The accused individuals have been apprehended by the FIA, and FIRs have been lodged against them.

Moreover, two raids were conducted targeting illegal Internet Service Provider (ISP) setups in Chichawatni. During the raids, a significant amount of equipment was recovered at different locations in Chichawatni which included 12 Optical line terminal (OLT), 04 dish antennas, 01 UPS, 2 batteries, 350 metre OFC cable, 01 Optical Network Terminal, 01 OLT charger, and a manual billing book.

Additionally, an illegally erected tower carrying numerous dish antennas, was dismantled by the FIA team. Ongoing investigations are in progress.

These raids are part of PTA's ongoing efforts to eradicate the illegal issuance of SIMs and illegal ISPs.