The Pakistani government has issued a strong warning to all call centre operators, urging them to begin the licensing process immediately to avoid penalties or potential closure. The move comes as authorities tighten their control over call centres to curb the rise of digital financial fraud.
In a significant policy shift, the government has rolled out a mandatory licensing system for all call centres operating in Pakistan.
Under this new framework, no call centre will be allowed to function without obtaining prior approval from several authorities, including the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and a security agency.
The government has introduced this multi-agency approval process in response to the growing concerns over international scams and financial crimes that have been concealed under the guise of legitimate call centre operations.
Authorities believe that by implementing this new licensing requirement, they can improve monitoring and better combat fraudulent activities.
As part of the crackdown, NCCIA will intensify its efforts under “Operation Grey,” a nationwide initiative aimed at targeting illegal and unregistered call centres.
This operation, which was previously focused on federal oversight, will now extend to provincial levels, covering major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. The goal is to disrupt the networks involved in organized fraud that have been operating under the radar.
The new licensing requirement applies to both new and existing call centres. Non-compliance will result in immediate legal action, according to authorities.
These measures are part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to strengthen its cybercrime response and ensure that call centres operate within the bounds of the law.
The government hopes that these stern actions will create a safer digital environment by making it more difficult for fraudsters to use call centres as a cover for illegal activities.
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