The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 69,000 SIM cards as part of a crackdown on illegal SIMs issued using canceled and fake identity cards. This action took place after the expiration of the August 16 deadline.
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To restore these blocked SIMs, affected users must obtain a new identity card from the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA). Once they have the new ID card, the SIMs can be unblocked through biometric verification at a mobile operator or authorized franchise.
In addition to this, a cybersecurity audit of telecom operators has been initiated. According to PTA sources, the final review of the audit, conducted by globally recognized firms, will be overseen by the PTA. The audit will assess the cybersecurity measures of telecom operators from a technical perspective. It will also evaluate the implementation of the PTA’s cybersecurity framework by these companies.
The audit will check for the presence of firewalls and ensure that telecom operators’ staff have proper security clearance. Additionally, the audit will verify that users’ data is protected and not leaked by the operators.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Information Technology has provided parliament with details on VPNs registered with the PTA. According to official documents, 20,500 VPNs from 1,422 companies are registered in Pakistan. Among these, 19,840 VPNs are linked to 1,286 companies, 180 VPNs are registered under 136 freelance licenses, and 417 VPNs are registered with the Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA).
