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To combat rising digital financial fraud cases, the government of Pakistan has decided to bring all call centers under a formal legal and licensing framework.
According to media reports, no call center will be allowed to operate in Pakistan without acquiring an official license. This new requirement aims to track and prevent misuse of telecom services for fraudulent activities.
The licensing process will be supervised by three federal bodies: the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and a designated intelligence agency.
This decision comes after a sharp increase in cases involving online scams, identity theft, and fraudulent financial transactions through phone and internet services in recent months.
Authorities say unregistered or loosely monitored call centers are being exploited for illegal activities, including phishing schemes targeting unsuspecting citizens through calls and SMS messages.
The move is intended not only to ensure accountability but also to help law enforcement agencies track communication channels used in criminal acts more effectively.
Officials further stated that the regulation will include strict checks on the background of individuals operating and working in call centers, including their digital footprints.
Industry experts believe this step will bring discipline and credibility to the telecom support sector, ensuring that only vetted companies with legitimate operations can interact with the public.
Meanwhile, call center owners will be required to comply with technical standards, security protocols, and data protection measures once the regulation comes into effect.
The government is expected to announce full details and a timeline for implementation in the coming weeks, with stakeholders from both public and private sectors being consulted.
