ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has intensified its efforts to combat telecom fraud, blocking thousands of mobile connections and devices during the financial year 2024–25 as part of its consumer protection drive.
According to official PTA documents, 1,875 mobile numbers involved in fraudulent activities were blocked during the year. The authority also disabled 1,604 mobile phone sets by blocking their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, preventing the devices from operating on local networks.
In addition, PTA blacklisted 69 identity cards linked to repeat offenders and issued 6,014 warning notices to users suspected of suspicious activity. The authority said these actions reflect continuous monitoring aimed at preventing misuse of telecom services nationwide.
The crackdown was carried out through PTA’s Fraud Management Module (FMM), operating under the Spam and Fraud Protection Rules, 2020. The authority noted that the data-driven system enables timely detection and enforcement against fraudulent activities.
Launched in February 2021, the FMM has evolved into a comprehensive framework and works in coordination with other systems, including the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) and the Lawful Subscriber Data Management System, to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Meanwhile, PTA’s Consumer Support Center remained active in handling public complaints. During the financial year, the center received over 512,000 calls, averaging 42,680 calls per month through its toll-free helpline. PTA reiterated its commitment to protecting telecom users and ensuring the integrity of mobile services through strict enforcement and advanced monitoring.
