The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced the blocking of more than 5.8 million inactive SIM cards across the country.

In a statement, the PTA revealed that it conducted 40 raids in various cities to target illegal SIMs. During these operations, authorities confiscated 7,500 SIM cards and 152 biometric verification system devices. Additionally, 47 suspects were arrested.

The raids were carried out in multiple locations, including Kasur, Kharian, Sialkot, Lahore, Peshawar, Pano Aqil, Kashmore, Sukkur, Sheikhupura, Sharqpur Sharif, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sahiwal, and Hassan Abdal.

According to the PTA, a crackdown on illegal SIMs is also part of its efforts for the fiscal year 2023-24.