Orders to launch nationwide crackdown on illegal call centres

According to government sources, a special task force will operate under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters and oversee investigations

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to launch a nationwide crackdown on illegal call centres following reports of organised cyber fraud and other unlawful activities allegedly being operated from Pakistan.

According to government sources, a special task force will operate under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters and oversee investigations and enforcement actions against unauthorised call centres across the country. The task force will also submit daily updates on its operations to the Ministry of Interior.

Officials said the crackdown will focus on activities including online scams, extortion, blackmail and illegal gambling, with authorities investigating networks suspected of using call centres to facilitate such offences.

A list of suspected illegal call centres operating in Karachi has reportedly been prepared, while relevant departments have been directed to provide full cooperation to the task force during investigations and enforcement operations.

The decision follows a recent operation in Islamabad in which 284 foreign nationals were reportedly arrested from an alleged illegal call centre. The arrests have intensified scrutiny of call-centre networks and their possible links to international cybercrime.

Authorities are now expected to expand investigations nationwide as part of efforts to dismantle networks involved in fraudulent and other illegal online activities.