ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), launched a targeted crackdown on IMEI tampering and mobile phone cloning in Abbottabad and Haripur in a major move to control unlawful mobile activities.
Joint enforcement teams raided various mobile repairing shops in Haripur (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), including locations near Fowara Masjid in Mochi Bazaar and along Main GT Road.
During the operations, authorities detained a huge cache of equipment, including cloned mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, USB devices, and a DVR system.
Three individuals involved in IMEI tampering were arrested on the spot and handed over to NCCIA for further investigation.
Mobile phone cloning poses serious threats to national security
The PTA has emphasised that IMEI tampering and mobile phone cloning pose serious threats to national security, enabling cybercrime, financial fraud, and other criminal activities. “This is not only unlawful but also an unethical act.”
The authority reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward such practices and urged the public to report suspicious activities instantly. Legal action will be taken against violators under the full extent of the law, they warned.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the leaking of mobile SIM data.
The National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency has also started action over the issue.
A special investigation team has been constituted on the instructions of Mohsin Naqvi, while the investigation team will probe the data leakage issue from every angle. Culprits involved in the crime will be determined, and legal action will be taken against them, according to the officials.
The investigation team will present the report on the matter to the Interior Minister within 14 days.
