PTA Breaks Silence on Reports of Massive Telecom Data Leak

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a formal clarification on September 9, 2025 to address reports that subscriber data was available online. PTA Data Leak Clarification states that the authority does not hold or manage subscriber records and that licensed telecom operators retain that responsibility.

PTA said its initial review indicates the leaked datasets contain family details travel records vehicle registrations and copies of CNICs. The authority said these records appear to be aggregated from multiple external sources rather than originating from licensed telecom operators. PTA audits found no breaches within the licensed sector.

As part of enforcement action, the PTA has blocked 1,372 websites applications and social media pages that were identified as selling or sharing personal data. The authority said the takedowns are part of an ongoing crackdown on unlawful content to prevent misuse of personal information.

The Ministry of Interior has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the matter and to coordinate with federal agencies on evidence collection and legal action. The committee will work with cybercrime units and relevant regulators to trace sources and to advise on remedial steps.

Citizens are advised to report suspicious websites and messages to official channels and to check devices and accounts for unusual activity.