Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on IT has raised alarm over Rs. 3 billion annual cyber fraud linked to online scams, fake calls, and loan apps. The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) reported that over 60% of complaints involve electronic crimes, with fraud losses underreported. Lawmakers also questioned PTA’s telecom regulation, Jazz tariff approvals, and tribunal delays, calling for stricter oversight of Pakistan’s digital sector.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, has expressed serious concern over the rising wave of cybercrime in Pakistan. Officials from the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) revealed that online frauds, loan app scams, and weaknesses in telecom regulation have resulted in losses exceeding Rs. 3 billion annually.

According to NCCIA, over 60% of all complaints received are related to electronic crimes, with the actual financial damage likely far higher due to widespread underreporting.

Cybercrime on the Rise

Lawmakers were informed that:

• Citizens are being deceived through fake courier calls, phishing scams, and fraudulent mobile codes.

• WhatsApp accounts are being hacked for up to 12 hours, during which fraudsters impersonate victims to extort money from family and friends.

• In just one year, 63 illegal call centers were raided, resulting in 450 arrests and the identification of Rs. 720 million in fraud cases.

Telecom Transparency Concerns

The session also highlighted transparency issues within Pakistan’s telecom sector. Lawmakers criticized the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after audit officials claimed that Jazz’s tariff approvals worth over Rs. 6 billion were processed without full record-sharing.

Former IT Minister Senator Anusha Rahman accused the PTA of damaging the private sector’s reputation by failing to ensure regulatory oversight.

Pending Legal and Regulatory Issues

Concerns were also raised over:

• Delays in telecom tribunal appointments.

• Spectrum-related cases pending in multiple courts.

• Forum shopping practices by telecom companies.

The committee directed the PTA, SECP, and Ministry of IT to provide complete records at the next meeting, while summoning the Law Ministry to explain delays in tribunal appointments.

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In a major move against illegal SIM issuance, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have arrested a telecom franchise owner in Mianwali, Punjab. The crackdown, aimed at curbing the unauthorized distribution of SIM cards, underscores the government’s intensified efforts to combat digital fraud and security risks.

The latest arrest follows a broader initiative by the PTA and FIA, which has already led to the detention of at least 54 individuals and the seizure of over 15,000 illegal SIMs across Pakistan. The arrested franchise owner was allegedly engaged in bypassing the Multi-Finger Biometric Verification System (MBVS), a critical security measure meant to prevent identity theft and unauthorized SIM activation.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the PTA confirmed that a joint raid was conducted on a Ufone franchise in Mianwali with the support of the FIA’s Lahore Cyber Crime Circle.

“The franchise was found to be involved in the illegal issuance of SIMs. During the operation, 496 digital fingerprint impressions (single impressions), Biometric Verification System (BVS) devices, two scanners, and a laptop were seized,” the PTA stated.

The FIA has taken the confiscated equipment as evidence, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the franchise owner. Further investigations are underway to identify additional individuals involved in the illicit activity.

The crackdown comes at a time when concerns over cyber fraud, identity theft, and illegal SIM usage are at an all-time high in Pakistan. Fraudulent SIM registrations have been linked to a surge in financial scams, unauthorized international call routing, and even terrorism-related activities. The PTA’s intensified scrutiny highlights the urgent need to enforce stringent telecom regulations and close loopholes in biometric verification processes.

The FIA’s Cyber Crime Circle is spearheading efforts to dismantle illegal SIM networks, following previous high-profile arrests. Last month, a suspect from Lahore’s Gulshan Ali Colony was apprehended for allegedly distributing international SIMs illegally. Additionally, in February, law enforcement agencies recovered over 8,363 unauthorized UK SIMs and registered 21 cases nationwide.

The PTA has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating illegal SIM issuance, warning telecom operators and franchise owners against any involvement in unlawful activities. With digital security becoming a growing national concern, experts argue that stricter compliance measures and AI-driven monitoring systems should be integrated to prevent fraud at the source.

As investigations continue, industry stakeholders await further action from the authorities, anticipating more arrests and regulatory enhancements to curb illegal telecom operations in Pakistan.

Stay tuned to Techlist for more updates on this developing story.

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Cyber Crime is one of the serious crimes of the time. With its increasing rate especially girls are facing great problems. They do not feel secure.

Now criminals won’t be spared.  Yasir Latif became the first culprit. He belongs to Lahore and he was accused for photo shopping pictures of girls and uploading them on social media.

The complaints against him were registered by the parents of the girls. His case was heard in Additional District and Session Judge in Lahore. After a lot of argues about, was he guilty or not? He was found guilty.

He is jailed for two years and has to pay a fine of Rs. 30,000/- as his punishment.

Yasir tried to defend himself by saying that his account was used by another person, but he was found guilty of it and sentenced to two years punishment.

Copying, photo shopping or distributing pictures of girls is part of cyber stalking. Without the consent of girl even sharing their pictures is illegal under Cyber Crime Law.

For cyber stalking, a person can be sentenced up to Rs. 1 million in fine or up to 3 years in prison. A person can be given both punishments together as well.

The bigger crime is making video or pictures of others without their consent and it can lead to fine if Rs. 1 million and 3 years jail.

The Cyber Crime Law Bill 2016 was passed this year in August. It was passed after much debate and after going through several amendments. The bill provides a basic framework of laws which prevent cyber crimes in the country.

It is justified decision no one had right to steal someone privacy or black mail them. Every person’s privacy should be maintained even on social networks. These networks are for the people to interact but in a positive way. Hope Cyber Crime entirely stops so everyone could feel safe.

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Cyber crime is one the most increasing crimes in Pakistan. Were technology has increased to a surprisingly level it has some disadvantages too. One of them is cyber crime. People are becoming more access able and that’s creating the loss of privacy. But the problem has been solved to an extent as Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) has announced the launch of Pakistan’s first ‘Cyber Harassment Helpline’ on December 1, 2016.

During Human Rights Tulip Awards Nighat Dad received an award for her services towards Digital Rights Foundation. She received a sum of €100,000 so that she can continue her mission. Nighat Dad is the founder and CEO of Digital Rights Foundation Pakistan.

When she received the award, she decided and announced, to use this money for launching of first ever Cyber Harassment Helpline. And now, DRF has officially announced that helpline will go live from December 1st. It states on DRF’s Face book page,

“It will provide a free, safe, and confidential service to victims on online harassment. The Helpline aims to provide legal advice, digital security support, psychological counseling, and a referral system to victims.”

DRF is a registered research based non-government organization (NGO) which focuses on information and communications technology (ICT) to support human rights, democratic processes and digital governance. It believes in online freedom of expression and rights to privacy for minorities, women and dissidents.

This aims to ‘End Online Violence against Women. This campaign promotes free and secure digital environment for women. Any online abuse can be reported on Cyber Harassment Helpline 0800-39393.

A really good change! All the ladies out there can now feel safe and secure.

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