The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has recovered biometric data of around 600,000 people during raids carried out in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the PTA chairman told the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Interior.
Briefing the committee on Thursday, the PTA chairman said that authorities had conducted 125 joint raids with the NCCIA, recovered 25,000 SIMs and arrested 171 suspects.
He said that biometric records had previously leaked from locations where the data was stored, pointing to the need for stronger security measures.
The chairman said the PTA had blocked 1.8 million SIMs over the past two and a half years, adding that the biometric verification system was being upgraded in collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
He also said that cellular companies had been brought into the process as part of efforts to strengthen the system.
According to the PTA chairman, people could previously obtain a sixth SIM even after five SIMs had already been registered against their identity.
During the meeting, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan said that illegal SIMs had contributed to terrorism, extortion and other criminal activities.
He also alleged that foreign SIMs, including UK SIMs, were being sold in Pakistan through advertisements.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the committee that criminals had also started offering bank accounts for rent.
He said that some people provided others with their bank accounts despite knowing that fraudulently collected funds could be deposited into them.
The minister urged the PTA to take further measures to strengthen security features and prevent the misuse of SIMs and biometric data.
