PTA Issued Warning To Pakistani People Regarding Mobile Phones

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a strong warning to citizens about the growing use of unregistered and cloned mobile phones in cybercrimes and financial fraud.

These devices, which are not registered with the PTA’s Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS), pose significant risks to national security and public safety. To address this issue, the PTA, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has intensified operations to curb the sale and use of such devices.

Rising Threat of Unregistered and Cloned Mobile Phones

Unregistered mobile phones are devices that are not officially registered with the PTA’s DIRBS, a system designed to track and verify mobile devices in Pakistan. Cloned phones, on the other hand, are devices with duplicated or fake International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which are unique identifiers for mobile devices. Joint venture (JV) phones, often low-cost devices assembled with unauthorized parts, also fall under this category. These phones are increasingly being used for illegal activities, including:

• Cybercrimes: Unregistered and cloned phones are used to carry out hacking, phishing, and other online scams, as their anonymity makes it difficult to trace the perpetrators.
• Financial Fraud: Criminals use these devices to conduct fraudulent transactions, such as stealing money through fake bank accounts or mobile apps.
• National Security Threats: Unregistered phones can be exploited for illegal communications, including activities that undermine public safety or national security.

PTA and FIA’s Joint Operations

To tackle the issue, the PTA and FIA have launched a nationwide crackdown on the sale, purchase, and use of unregistered, cloned, and JV mobile phones. Key aspects of these operations include:

• Raids and Seizures: The FIA, in coordination with the PTA, is conducting raids on markets and shops selling illegal devices. Unregistered phones are confiscated during these operations.
• Arrests and Penalties: Individuals involved in the sale or distribution of unregistered or cloned phones are being arrested. Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, using or selling such devices is a punishable offense, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
• Complete Ban on Illegal Devices: The PTA has imposed a strict ban on the sale and purchase of unregistered, cloned, and JV mobile phones. This applies to both retailers and individuals involved in the trade.
• Blocking Unregistered Devices: The PTA’s DIRBS automatically identifies and blocks unregistered devices from operating on mobile networks in Pakistan. This ensures that such phones cannot be used for calls, texts, or internet services.

The PTA spokesperson emphasized that these actions are critical to safeguarding national security, as unregistered devices can be used to facilitate illegal activities that threaten public safety. The joint efforts of the PTA and FIA aim to disrupt the supply chain of illegal phones and deter criminals from using them.