ISLAMABAD, November 6, 2026: Meta has deactivated 176,000 WhatsApp accounts linked to recycled mobile phone numbers following a request from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as authorities move to address cyber fraud involving inactive and cancelled SIM cards.
According to PTA officials, complaints had emerged about WhatsApp accounts remaining active on mobile numbers that were no longer in use by their original subscribers.
Such accounts had become a source of concern because recycled numbers could potentially be misused for fraudulent activities.
The regulatory authority subsequently approached Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, seeking action against accounts associated with inactive and reassigned mobile numbers.
PTA shares recycled mobile numbers with Meta
Officials said telecom operators in Pakistan currently hold approximately 16 million recycled mobile numbers.
Of these, PTA has shared details of 10 million numbers with Meta as part of efforts to identify and deactivate WhatsApp accounts associated with inactive or cancelled SIMs.
Following the coordination, Meta has shut down 176,000 accounts identified through the process.
PTA and Meta have also agreed on a mechanism for addressing accounts linked to recycled mobile numbers on a continuing basis.
Under the arrangement, PTA will forward details of 5,000 recycled numbers to Meta every month, allowing the company to review and deactivate associated accounts in phases.
Measures aimed at reducing WhatsApp fraud
The initiative is intended to reduce the misuse of WhatsApp accounts linked to numbers that have been disconnected, cancelled or reassigned.
Officials said cyber fraud complaints involving such numbers had prompted closer coordination between the telecom regulator and the messaging platform.
PTA officials also reported that Meta resolved 82 percent of the complaints received during the previous year.
The ongoing coordination is expected to support the identification of accounts associated with recycled numbers and address related concerns about fraudulent activity on WhatsApp.