Islamabad: (RightNow) The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior discussed online fraud and illegal SIM issuance. NCCIA officials reported an FIR was filed in Faisalabad, and WhatsApp hacking will end soon.

The committee chairman shared his own fraud experience and questioned how thumbprints reach fraudsters. PTA Chairman stated 18.2 million SIMs were blocked in the last two years, and telecom companies were fined 4.2 billion rupees.

PTA Chairman added that before 2009, there was no SIM issuance policy, but changes were made after 2014. In the last two years, 110 operations were conducted, recovering 29 thousand SIMs and arresting 171 individuals.

Officials stated efforts are underway to completely stop WhatsApp hacking, while the Minister of State for Interior suggested issuing SIMs through facial or iris recognition.

It is noteworthy that due to rising illegal SIMs and online fraud incidents, the government has started strict enforcement on SIM issuance in Pakistan.