PTA blocks 43 loan apps

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 43 loan applications in the wake of a loan application scandal.

The decision was made on the instructions of the Ministry of Information Technology (IT). Aminul Haq, the Federal Minister of IT, has confirmed that strict action is being taken against these illegal loan applications.

Aminul Haq further stated that the Chairman of PTA was directed to promptly address the issue, resulting in the immediate blocking of 43 applications in accordance with the given instructions. Additionally, PTA has sought guidance and assistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as part of their initiatives.

In a separate incident, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken action following the death of a citizen in Rawalpindi, which was linked to the Easy Loan apps financial scheme. As part of the ongoing investigation, FIA has obtained records from all four cell offices associated with the apps.

The FIA has also approached the relevant companies to freeze the accounts of the loan apps and has obtained records of all employees working for these companies. A team from the FIA’s cybercrime division is currently investigating 19 individuals in connection with the case.

Furthermore, the FIA has decided to include the data hacking process as part of their investigation and has written to PTA to provide records of SIMs used in the financial fraud