Pakistan’s telecom regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has taken strict action against two major mobile operators, Zong and Telenor, imposing combined fines of Rs. 11.6 crore over violations of SIM registration regulations.
The penalties came after multiple complaints surfaced from citizens who discovered unauthorized SIM cards registered against their CNICs without their knowledge or consent. Following these reports, investigations were launched, revealing serious irregularities in the SIM issuance process.
According to the findings, several breaches were identified, including weaknesses in biometric verification systems, poor oversight of franchise operations, and unusual SIM activation patterns that raised concerns about misuse. Authorities also carried out raids in Lahore and other locations, where devices and large stocks of SIM cards were confiscated as part of the crackdown.
While both telecom companies maintained that they were following regulatory requirements and described the cases as isolated incidents or the result of misconduct by individual employees, the PTA held the operators accountable for failing to ensure proper compliance across their networks.
The regulator has stressed that protecting consumers from identity misuse remains a top priority and warned that further inspections and reviews are ongoing. The move signals a stronger push by authorities to tighten monitoring mechanisms and improve transparency in the telecom sector.
