The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has reiterated that all mobile SIMs in Pakistan must be registered in the user’s own name, warning that any other practice violates telecom regulations.
In an official statement, the authority urged consumers to use SIMs and telecom services responsibly. It cautioned that using a SIM registered under another person’s identity breaches applicable rules and exposes the registered individual to legal risk.
The PTA stressed that the registered user is solely responsible for any misuse. This includes accountability for all calls, messages, and data activity conducted via a SIM or connected device. Consumers must therefore monitor how their mobile connections are used at all times.
The regulator warned that failure to comply with SIM registration rules may invite enforcement action. It also called on citizens to play an active role in protecting the security, stability, and reliability of Pakistan’s telecommunications network through responsible conduct.
(Cont’d): Furthermore, PTA urges all telecom consumers to adopt responsible conduct and play an active and effective role in safeguarding the security, stability, and reliability of Pakistan’s telecommunications system.#PTAAlert #YourSIMYourResponsibility #UseSIMResponsibly… pic.twitter.com/jWj5InIIyt
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) December 24, 2025The reminder follows earlier warnings from the PTA about buying free SIMs from unauthorised sources. The authority has flagged an evolving scam in which criminals lure people—particularly women and senior citizens—with offers of free SIM cards or fake financial assistance.
Read: PTA and NCCIA Crack Down on Illegal SIM Issuance
According to the PTA, scammers steal biometric data, such as fingerprints and thumbprints, through these schemes. They then use fraudulently obtained SIMs for serious crimes, including identity theft and large-scale financial fraud.
The authority emphasised that handing over a SIM registered in one’s name to another person is a punishable offence under the law. Citizens have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal or biometric information with unverified individuals or outlets.
