The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control has directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, banks, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, cellular mobile operators and other relevant institutions to strengthen safeguards against fraudulent calls, illegal SIM issuance, misuse of biometric data and financial cyber scams. The committee emphasized the need for coordinated action to improve citizen protection and enhance Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework while addressing growing concerns over digital fraud and identity misuse.
The committee met at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, where members reviewed the implementation of previous recommendations and discussed a range of issues related to cybercrime, revenue records, narcotics control, law and order in Islamabad and the development of the federal capital. During the meeting, representatives from NCCIA, PTA, cellular mobile operators and the banking sector provided detailed briefings on the current cybersecurity landscape and ongoing efforts to address financial fraud and digital crime. Committee members expressed serious concern over the misuse of citizens’ biometric information and highlighted the need for stronger verification procedures and continuous monitoring to reduce opportunities for identity related fraud. The discussion also focused on improving coordination among regulatory authorities, financial institutions and telecom operators to ensure that suspicious activities are detected and addressed more effectively while protecting citizens from emerging cyber threats.
During the briefing, PTA informed the committee that approximately 18.2 million SIMs issued in the names of other individuals had been blocked over the past two and a half years. The authority also stated that financial penalties had been imposed on cellular operators for regulatory violations related to SIM issuance and compliance requirements. Committee members noted that despite these actions, additional safeguards remain necessary to reduce the risk of fraudulent SIM registration and unauthorized access to personal information. The committee recommended introducing advanced verification technologies, including facial recognition and iris recognition, to strengthen identity verification during SIM registration. Members also proposed implementing immediate customer notifications whenever a new SIM is issued against an individual’s identity so that any unauthorized registration can be identified and reported without delay. Greater collaboration among PTA, NADRA, banks, law enforcement agencies and telecom operators was also identified as a key requirement for building a stronger and more responsive cybersecurity ecosystem capable of addressing increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques.
The meeting also examined issues relating to unauthorized financial withdrawals, rented and mule bank accounts and the operational challenges associated with blocking fraudulent transactions and recovering stolen funds in a timely manner. Committee members directed the relevant authorities to develop practical legislative, regulatory and technical measures that can further strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework while improving protection against financial fraud. In addition to technical improvements, the committee stressed the importance of increasing public awareness regarding the unauthorized use of foreign SIMs and the risks associated with fraudulent communications. It also instructed authorities to monitor social media platforms more effectively to prevent the illegal promotion of unauthorized foreign SIMs and other fraudulent activities. Through these directives, the committee sought to encourage stronger institutional coordination, improved verification mechanisms and broader public awareness to help reduce cyber enabled financial crime and strengthen the security of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
