On July 29, 2025, the federal government of Pakistan announced a mandatory licensing system for all call centres to combat the rising issue of digital financial fraud. This initiative aims to regulate unregistered call centres and reduce fraudulent activities.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and an intelligence agency will oversee the licensing process to ensure effective monitoring.
The government is expanding the NCCIA’s “Operation Grey” campaign nationwide to target organised digital fraud networks, particularly those operating through unlicensed call centres. This operation has already disrupted Ponzi schemes and identified key players involved in fraudulent activities. Officials designed this crackdown as part of a broader effort to modernise Pakistan’s cybercrime response infrastructure and protect citizens from digital scams.
In a related development, the NCCIA raided a scam call centre in the G-10 Sector of Islamabad, arresting more than 65 individuals, including five foreign nationals. Authorities seized records documenting illegal activities, and officials plan to take further legal action against those facilitating these operations. This raid underscores the urgent need to regulate call centres to prevent financial fraud.
The new licensing regime and expanded crackdown demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding citizens from digital scams. These measures aim to enhance trust in digital transactions and modernise regulatory frameworks. For accurate updates on cybersecurity, rely on trusted sources.
