Spam and fraudulent calls are a growing problem worldwide, and Pakistan is no exception. The increase in unsolicited telemarketing calls, scam attempts, and harassment over the phone has become a major concern for consumers. Fortunately, Pakistan's legal framework — including various regulations and services provided by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) — offers avenues for people to take action and protect themselves from such intrusions.
Fraudulent calls, especially those attempting to impersonate government officials or banks, have led to significant financial losses for unsuspecting victims. The rise in spam calls is partly due to the increasing accessibility of telecommunications services and the rapid growth of telemarketing in Pakistan.
Legal framework to combat spam calls
Pakistan has a legal framework in place to combat spam, fraudulent calls, and telemarketing — governed mainly by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
1. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA is the regulatory body for telecommunications in Pakistan, responsible for ensuring fair and safe practices in the sector — including safeguarding consumers from spam, harassment, and fraudulent calls. Its initiatives include:
- Do Not Call (DNC) Registry — a key tool for blocking unsolicited telemarketing calls; consumers can register their number to avoid marketing calls.
- Complaint Resolution System — PTA investigates consumer complaints about spam, fraud, and other telecom-related problems, and can act against violators.
- Telemarketing Regulation — telemarketing firms must maintain a "do not disturb" (DND) list and follow standards on permitted calling hours.
2. Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016
PECA is Pakistan's critical legal tool for addressing cybercrimes, including fraudulent calls and harassment through telecommunications. Fraudulent activities carried out through electronic means — phones or the internet — are criminalized under this act.
- Section 31 criminalizes cyber harassment, including fraudulent phone calls that cause harm — penalties can include a fine of up to PKR 5 million or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
- Section 25 specifically targets cyber fraud, including fraudulent communications intended to deceive or defraud individuals of money or personal information.
Steps to take against spam or fraudulent calls
1. Register for PTA's Do Not Call (DNC) list
Send an SMS with the word ADD to 3627. After registration, you will no longer receive marketing calls from legitimate telemarketing companies. To remove your number later, send REMOVE to 3627.
2. File a complaint with PTA
If you keep receiving spam calls after registering for the DNC list, you can report it through:
- PTA's online Complaint Portal, via pta.gov.pk.
- PTA's helpline: 0800-55055.
- The DIRBS (Device Identification Registration and Blocking System) app, to report fraudulent activity or unwanted calls.
PTA is authorized to act against service providers and telemarketers who violate regulations — including fines, warnings, and bans.
3. Report fraudulent calls to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing
Fraudulent calls that attempt to steal personal information, money, or commit identity theft — fake lottery claims, bank-representative impersonation, phishing attempts — fall under PECA and can be reported to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing (NR3C) online, at a regional office, or via helpline 111-345-786. The FIA is authorized to investigate and prosecute phone-based cybercrime under PECA.
4. Take precautionary measures
- Never share personal information — bank details, CNIC, or passwords — over the phone, especially on unsolicited calls.
- Use call-blocking apps like Truecaller or Hiya to automatically identify and block spam calls.
- Use your phone's built-in settings to block specific numbers or silence unknown callers.
5. Monitor your bank statements
If you've fallen victim to a fraudulent call, regularly check your bank statements for unauthorized transactions and report anything suspicious to your bank immediately.
In short
Spam and fraudulent calls are a serious issue for consumers in Pakistan, but there are real tools and legal avenues available. PTA and PECA both provide mechanisms for addressing spam and fraud — use them to block unwanted calls and report fraud when it happens.
See the official PTA fraud-reporting notice