ISLAMABAD

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in coordination with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), has raided an illegal mobile balance recharging operation in Gilgit and seized 600 active SIMs and 75 mobile phones.

The raid was conducted by PTA’s Zonal Office Gilgit at residential premises behind NLI Market following information about the alleged misuse of illegally issued SIMs to remotely recharge mobile accounts.

According to PTA, the setup was exploiting the tax-exempt status of Gilgit-Baltistan, allowing mobile accounts to be recharged through SIMs issued unlawfully.

The authority said such activities violate the regulatory framework governing SIM issuance and use and can cause significant losses to government revenue and the public exchequer.

One suspect was apprehended during the operation, while the recovered mobile phones and SIMs were taken into custody as evidence.

The NCCIA has registered a First Information Report (FIR) and launched further investigations into the case.

PTA said the operation was part of its continuing crackdown, in coordination with law-enforcement agencies, against the illegal issuance and misuse of SIMs, tax evasion and unlawful telecom activities.

The regulator said it would continue taking strict action against individuals and entities involved in activities that undermine Pakistan’s telecom regulatory framework.