The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned mobile phone users against sharing their SIM cards with others, saying the practice is a punishable offence and could expose them to legal risks.
In a public advisory, the PTA said any SIM card registered in a person’s name can be misused for illegal activities, making the registered owner liable. The authority urged users not to hand over their SIM cards to anyone under any circumstances.
The PTA advised users to regularly check the number of SIMs registered against their CNIC. They can do so by visiting cnic.sims.pk or by sending their 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes) via SMS to 668. Users were also urged to immediately block any unknown or unnecessary SIMs registered in their name.
The telecom regulator further advised consumers to obtain new SIM cards only from authorised franchises or official customer service centres to avoid fraud.
PTA also urged users to ensure that no SIM card is registered in their name without their knowledge or consent.
Earlier, the authority had warned the public not to undergo biometric verification in exchange for offers of free SIM cards, saying fraudsters could use the verification to issue additional SIMs in the user’s name without permission.
Also Read, PTA, Meta join hands to strengthen online safety for Pakistan’s youth
Earlier, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and global technology company Meta announced a new partnership to strengthen online safety for young internet users in Pakistan.
According to the announcement, PTA and Meta have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to work together on initiatives that enhance online protection and improve digital awareness across the country. The mutual agreement agrees upon shared commitment to helping users, particularly younger audiences.
What the PTA – meta partnership includes
- Promoting online safety for children and young internet users
- Enhancing digital literacy across Pakistan
- Responsible use of digital platforms
- Policy dialogue on digital safety and internet governance
- Launching public awareness campaigns on cyber safety
- Strengthening cooperation between PTA and Meta on youth online protection
- Creating a safer and more trusted online environment for Pakistani internet users
