The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has banned 46 gambling and forex applications across the country after a recommendation from the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
According to an NCCIA spokesperson, the blocked apps included unregulated forex trading platforms and online gambling services that were illegally collecting billions of rupees from unsuspecting users.
Apps accused of data theft
Authorities said many of the banned applications not only promoted illegal gambling but also harvested sensitive personal data, including mobile numbers and SIM information.
The NCCIA added that such platforms posed significant risks to citizens’ privacy and financial security.
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“The lure of quick money through gambling and forex schemes misled thousands of young people,” the spokesperson said, warning that similar fraudulent apps continue to target Pakistani users online.
The ban reflects an ongoing crackdown by the PTA and cybercrime authorities against digital platforms that operate without regulation and exploit loopholes to engage in financial scams. Officials urged citizens to remain cautious and avoid using unverified forex or investment apps.
