Pakistan has recently ramped up its efforts to curb the unauthorized use of foreign SIM cards, a move driven by mounting concerns over national security, economic implications, and their increasing role in unlawful activities. While the crackdown is meant to secure the nation’s financial and digital ecosystem, many people remain unaware of the magnitude of the problem. Instead of understanding the underlying threats, a large section of the public reacts emotionally, often seeing these actions as excessive government interference. Fueled by misinformation on social media, these perceptions overlook the fact that foreign SIMs are not merely communication tools but are actively being used for identity theft, fraudulent financial transactions, tax evasion, and organized crime.
These SIMs are highly appealing due to their ability to offer international access, wide coverage, and a degree of anonymity. While such features may benefit businesses and individuals engaging in cross-border communications, they also make these SIMs attractive for cybercriminals. Their anonymity enables scammers, blackmailers, and even individuals involved in espionage and terrorism to operate undetected. Investigations by Pakistan’s authorities, including the PTA and FIA, have exposed how criminal networks are using pre-activated international SIM cards to engage in untraceable transactions, manipulate unsuspecting victims, and conduct large-scale financial fraud. Reports indicate that cybercriminals frequently exploit these foreign numbers to bypass security barriers, launch phishing attacks, and steal identities. The scale of the problem has overwhelmed cybercrime agencies, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising number of complaints.
A recent crackdown revealed that operations were conducted simultaneously across multiple cities, including Abbottabad, Skardu, Peshawar, Lahore, and Sialkot. Several individuals were arrested, and many illegally activated SIM cards were confiscated. These foreign SIMs were found to be linked to a range of criminal activities, including online fraud, blackmail, kidnappings, and even terrorist financing. More concerning is the way these SIMs have hindered crucial investigations, particularly those related to terrorism funding and espionage. By allowing criminals to operate undetected, they have exposed major gaps in the security framework that law enforcement agencies have struggled to close. However, instead of recognizing the authorities’ efforts, many social media users have reacted with skepticism, fueling conspiracy theories and claims that these measures are meant to limit personal freedoms.
The role of social media in shaping public perception has significantly contributed to distorting the realities of this issue. Any government initiative tackling the misuse of foreign SIMs is quickly misinterpreted, leading to knee-jerk reactions from the public. Rather than considering the security implications, people are more inclined to complain about the government restricting communication. This widespread misinformation provides a shield for criminal networks, allowing them to continue their illegal operations while law enforcement struggles to garner public support for necessary reforms. Many Pakistanis fail to realize that SIM cards obtained through unauthorized means can be exploited to access personal banking information, deceive individuals into revealing confidential details, and facilitate financial scams. Several victims have lost their entire life savings simply because they unknowingly disclosed sensitive credentials to fraudsters posing as legitimate entities.
Beyond individual scams, the economic impact of these SIMs is severe. One of the most troubling aspects is their role in tax evasion, as individuals and businesses using them circumvent local telecommunication regulations, depriving the country of significant revenue. The illegal trade of foreign SIMs has evolved into a multi-million-rupee black market, prompting authorities to adopt stringent measures. Recent operations have led to the seizure of over 12,000 illegal SIMs worth approximately 2 million rupees, as well as the identification of more than 100 individuals involved in their distribution. Investigators also uncovered 29 online platforms engaged in selling UK-based SIMs, all of which are now being shut down. A major breakthrough took place at Multan airport, where FIA officials intercepted a suspect attempting to smuggle 6,700 foreign SIMs concealed in his luggage. Earlier this year, a raid on a mobile phone franchise in Sheikhupura resulted in the confiscation of 11 biometric verification system (BVS) devices used for unauthorized SIM activations.
The misuse of foreign SIMs is not an issue confined to Pakistan; numerous countries worldwide are grappling with the illegal trade of unregistered SIMs. Even the United Kingdom has identified the risks associated with “SIM farms”—devices that can hold multiple SIMs at once and are often used for financial fraud and large-scale cybercrimes. In response, the UK government has proposed legislation to prohibit the manufacturing, import, sale, and possession of SIM farms. These international initiatives align with Pakistan’s efforts, reinforcing the fact that these crackdowns are not about restricting communication but rather about protecting digital systems that are currently being exploited for illicit activities.
These foreign SIMs, mainly from UK-based telecom companies such as GiffGaff, Lyca, EE, O2, Three, and Lebara, are smuggled into Pakistan after being ordered online free of charge. Since online SIM ordering is restricted in Pakistan, travellers bring and sell them for prices ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000. The extent of their misuse is evident in how they facilitate unauthorized financial transactions through services like PayPal and Payoneer, both of which are unavailable in Pakistan. They are also frequently used to create social media accounts under fake identities, which are utilized for financial fraud, propaganda, and even kidnapping scams. More disturbingly, they serve as vital tools for espionage and terrorist activities, allowing perpetrators to operate without leaving behind a digital footprint.
In light of the growing threat of foreign SIMs, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented strict regulatory controls. Ordering foreign SIMs online from within Pakistan is completely banned, and activation is only permitted under official roaming agreements between telecom operators. A Temporary Registration (TR) system has been introduced for overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors, allowing them to use a single handset for a maximum of 120 days. This registration process must be completed with FIA officials upon arrival at the airport. Importantly, no legal provision allows for the bulk import of foreign SIMs into Pakistan.
Despite these initiatives, the biggest challenge remains public resistance to acknowledging the dangers posed by these SIMs. Law enforcement agencies are not imposing unnecessary restrictions; they are actively working to safeguard citizens from often underestimated threats. Those arrested during recent crackdowns were not merely small-scale vendors trying to make a living—they were key players in a well-organized supply chain designed to enable financial fraud and digital deception. The SIM cards they distributed were directly linked to fraudulent activities that have financially devastated countless victims. Ironically, the very individuals who suffer from these scams often oppose the enforcement measures designed to prevent them.
The battle against the misuse of foreign SIMs is far from over. Still, with continued enforcement and increased public awareness, Pakistan can take significant steps toward securing its digital landscape and protecting its citizens from financial and security threats.
