Your SIM, your crime: PTA warns users of liability for illegal SIM use

WEB DESK: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a stark warning to mobile phone users, declaring that SIM card owners will be held fully accountable for any illegal activity carried out through numbers registered in their names.

In an official statement released earlier the telecom regulator stressed that the use of SIM cards registered under someone else’s identity is a clear breach of existing regulations. Any unlawful use, including calls, messages or data-related activity, will be treated as the responsibility of the individual whose name appears on the SIM registration, regardless of who actually used the number.

The PTA stressed telecom consumers must exercise extreme caution and ensure responsible use of their mobile connections. It said every registered user is individually answerable for all activity conducted through their SIMs or devices, and violations may trigger regulatory or legal action.

The authority urged citizens to strictly follow telecom rules and warned that failure to comply could invite enforcement measures. It also called on users to play an active role in protecting the integrity, security and stability of Pakistan’s telecommunications network.

The warning comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in mobile-related financial fraud, cybercrime and harassment cases. According to officials, complaint-handling systems are increasingly burdened by cases where registered SIM owners claim no direct involvement in crimes committed using numbers issued in their names.

With Pakistan’s population exceeding 250 million, approximately 196 million SIM cards are currently active nationwide, indicating that many individuals hold multiple connections. Under existing PTA regulations, a single CNIC can have up to five voice SIMs and three data-only SIMs registered for personal use.

The PTA advised consumers to regularly review their registered numbers, immediately block any unused or suspicious SIMs, and avoid sharing personal information or identity documents. It reiterated that negligence in SIM ownership could have serious legal consequences, urging users to treat their registered numbers as carefully as their national identity.