Islamabad:
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has intensified its campaign against digital fraud, blocking more than 1,800 mobile numbers and over 1,600 handsets in the past year as part of a broader effort to protect consumers and curb misuse of mobile services.
According to an official document, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked 1,875 mobile numbers involved in fraudulent activities during the fiscal year 2024–25. The action was taken through the regulator’s Fraud Management Module, a data-driven enforcement system designed to detect and deter telecom-related scams.
The crackdown extended beyond mobile numbers. PTA also blocked 1,604 mobile phones by their IMEI numbers, blacklisted 69 CNICs linked to repeat offenders, and issued 6,014 warnings to subscribers found engaged in suspicious or potentially fraudulent activity under existing regulations.
PTA said the Fraud Management Module operates under the Protection from Spam, Unsolicited, Fraudulent and Obnoxious Communication Regulations, 2020. Launched in February 2021, the system has evolved into a core pillar of the authority’s consumer protection framework and now works in coordination with other platforms such as the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) and the Lawful Subscriber Data System (LSDS).
The document also sheds light on the growing volume of consumer complaints and queries. During FY 2024–25, PTA’s Consumer Support Center handled 512,163 calls via its toll-free helpline (0800-55055), averaging more than 42,000 calls per month. The calls related to telecom services, device blocking, DIRBS issues, and unlawful content concerns.
Officials say the latest enforcement figures reflect a tougher regulatory stance as mobile usage expands and fraud techniques become more sophisticated, underscoring the regulator’s focus on safeguarding users and maintaining trust in Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem.
