The Viral Claim
On August 18, a Facebook post circulated claiming PTA would block phones using more than five SIMs in a month. The post alleged that a device’s IMEI would be disabled, suspending its network access. This advisory appeared in official style and caused panic among mobile users nationwide.
PTA Denies Issuing Advisory
PTA immediately refuted the circulating claim. Zaib un Nisa, PTA’s Communications Director, confirmed the advisory was fake. She clarified that PTA never issued such an announcement. Instead, the regulator monitors duplication and cloning of IMEIs. It blocks cloned devices, partners with FIA during raids, and runs public awareness campaigns to prevent fraud.
Telecom Company’s Statement
A Jazz spokesperson also dismissed the false claim. The representative stated that no technical system in Pakistan limits SIMs used in a phone per month. The telecom company confirmed PTA had not released such instructions and urged people to ignore misleading social media posts.
Official Clarification Online
PTA later posted on its official social media platforms, labelling the advisory as fabricated. It advised citizens to verify any public notices through official PTA channels before sharing. The regulator stressed that misinformation damages public trust.
Final Verdict
The viral advisory is fake. PTA has not announced any plan to block phones using more than five SIMs within a month. Independent verification and official confirmations clearly disprove the claim.
Also on TTI:
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast another spell of monsoon rains across the country from August 29 to September 2, warning of “heavy to very heavy” downpours with thunder and lightning in several regions.
According to the Met Office, strong monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper parts of the country from August 29. Additionally, a westerly wave is likely to approach the upper and central regions by August 30, intensifying rainfall activity.
