Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

In a major crackdown, the Ministry of Interior has taken action against 54 illegally operating call centres and software houses, recovering over Rs1,400 million from 537 accused individuals, including foreigners, reports Wealth Pakistan.

According to the documents, the ministry recovered Rs1,405 million from 537 accused, including 268 Pakistani nationals and 269 foreigners, from January 1, 2025, to January 2026. Out of 537 accused, 482 were arrested, including 213 Pakistanis and 269 foreigners. Legal proceedings were initiated against 63 accused after the registration of cases.

To discourage such practices, the ministry has constituted a task force comprising representatives from the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). The task force will devise a mechanism for real-time information sharing and to enhance compliance with regulatory frameworks.

The task force is also mandated to strengthen enforcement measures against illegal digital/telecom activities and promote stakeholder awareness about regulatory obligations and best practices.

The government is taking stringent measures to stop this unlawful activity in the country. In the recent past, the departments concerned also cracked down on the organized networks operating under the guise of IT and customer support services and found them involved in online fraud, identity theft, and financial scams, targeting people both in Pakistan and abroad.

The ministry is also working with the provincial law-enforcement agencies and immigration authorities to strengthen monitoring of foreign nationals engaged in the IT sector. In addition, a comprehensive mapping of registered and unregistered call centers is being carried out to ensure documentation, taxation compliance, and adherence to the cybercrime laws in future operations.

Credit: INP-WealthPk