SIMs data of millions, including Interior Minister put up for sale online, probe underway

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an inquiry after reports emerged that the SIM data of millions of citizens, including senior government officials and federal ministers, was being sold online at throwaway prices.

According to reports, sensitive information such as SIM details, CNIC photographs, call records, and even location data was available for sale on Google and other websites.

The data of high-profile figures, including Interior Minister Naqvi himself and the PTA spokesperson, was allegedly being offered for as little as Rs200, while mobile location details were priced at Rs500. Information about foreign travel could reportedly be purchased for Rs5,000.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior confirmed that a 14-member committee of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has been tasked with probing the breach.

The committee will examine the issue from every angle, identify those responsible, and recommend immediate action. The investigation team has been directed to submit its findings within 14 days.

The incident surfaced soon after the NCCIA issued an advisory on a global data breach, urging people to strengthen their digital security. Meanwhile, Pakistan Computer Emergency Response Team (PKCERT) revealed that the data of over 184 million accounts was being sold in unencrypted files.

“The breach has exposed usernames, passwords, emails, and associated URLs linked to major social media platforms, government portals, banks, and healthcare institutions worldwide,” PKCERT said in its advisory.

Cybersecurity experts believe the breach was facilitated through infostealer software, which extracts data from unprotected sources. Officials have warned that the stolen information could be exploited for identity theft, online fraud, phishing scams, and unauthorized access to sensitive accounts.