PTA Cracks Down on Illegal SIM Sellers and Grey Traffic Network in Lahore and Mansehra
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), has conducted successful raids targeting illegal SIM operations and grey traffic networks in Lahore and Mansehra, marking another major step in Pakistan’s crackdown on telecom-related crimes.
According to official sources, the PTA’s Zonal Office in Lahore, working jointly with NCCIA teams, raided a grey traffic setup operating in New Lahore City. The operation uncovered sophisticated equipment used for illegal voice termination, which enables perpetrators to route international calls through unauthorized channels, bypassing legal gateways and causing significant revenue losses to the national exchequer.
During the raid, officials seized several pieces of telecom hardware, including VoIP gateways, SIM boxes, laptops, and multiple active SIMs used to facilitate grey traffic operations. The system was reportedly being used to conduct unlicensed international call traffic, undermining Pakistan’s legal telecommunication framework.
In a separate but related operation, another PTA team in collaboration with NCCIA carried out a raid in Mansehra, targeting illegal SIM issuance and registration activities. Authorities discovered that certain individuals were engaged in fraudulent biometric verifications to activate SIMs under fake identities, which were later used for illicit telecom activities and financial scams.
The individuals involved in both cases have been detained for questioning, and investigations are underway to identify the wider network behind these operations. The PTA confirmed that further raids are expected as part of its ongoing national campaign against illegal telecom practices.
The grey traffic menace continues to be a major challenge for Pakistan’s telecommunication industry, as it causes significant financial losses and poses national security risks by enabling anonymous communication. PTA has intensified its efforts by integrating advanced AI-driven detection systems and coordinating with law enforcement agencies to trace illegal call routes and suspicious network activity.
In its statement, the PTA reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating grey traffic and SIM-related fraud, emphasizing that such operations would continue until all illegal networks are dismantled. “The Authority remains dedicated to ensuring fair competition, protecting users’ data, and maintaining the integrity of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem,” a PTA spokesperson said.
The latest operations reflect the regulator’s proactive stance under its Digital Pakistan initiative, aimed at building a more transparent and secure telecommunication environment across the country.
