PTA issues SIM registration warning to protect mobile identity

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned mobile users, advising them to make sure their SIM cards are registered under their name to avoid unauthorised usage.

According to a recent announcement on the social media platform, Facebook, PTA highlighted that users must verify their SIM ownership to avoid misuse by criminals.

Emphasising the SIM Registration measure is required as unauthorised individuals can misuse stolen personal information to acquire illegal mobile SIM cards, which may then be utilised for fraudulent purposes, criminal activities, or even acts of terrorism.

To verify the number of SIM cards registered under your name, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recommends visiting cnic.sims.pk or sending your CNIC number via SMS to 668.

If you discover any SIM card registered in your name that you are not actively using, the PTA strongly advises blocking it immediately to prevent any potential misuse.

The PTA manages the 668 SIM Information System, enabling users to verify their registered SIM cards online.

Furthermore, as part of Pakistan’s Device Identification, SIM Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS), all mobile devices are required to be registered to ensure compliance with national security regulations.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) took significant action against the spread of anti-Pakistan propaganda by blocking 16 YouTube news channels, 31 YouTube video links, and 32 websites.

According to PTA, this move was made in response to content that was aimed at spreading misleading and harmful narratives against the country.

PTA stated that this decision was taken in the interest of national security and the protection of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. The blocked content from YouTube and websites were found to contain harmful and deceptive narratives designed to affect public opinion and harm national unity.

“The objective of this content was to influence public opinion negatively and damage national cohesion,” said PTA in an official statement.